(Xinhua/Wang Ye)
Chinese Premier Li Qiang pledged Tuesday to further expand opening-up and transform China’s vast market into great opportunities for the world.
Li made the remarks during his speech at the opening of the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) and Hongqiao International Economic Forum in Shanghai.
Holding the CIIE is an important measure for China to expand opening-up and cooperation, and represents China’s solemn commitment to the world, Li said.
If the first CIIE was a unidirectional invitation from China, subsequent editions have become a mutual engagement between China and the world, reflecting a shared aspiration for openness and cooperation, he recalled.
The Prime Minister stressed the need to strengthen consensus on opening-up, calling on all parties to adhere to international economic and trade orders and rules, and sincerely respect multilateral and bilateral economic and trade agreements.
China will further develop institutional opening-up and actively align itself with high-level international economic and trade standards, said Li, who pledged efforts to implement the strategy of upgrading pilot free trade zones.
According to him, China is ready to further expand its huge market, notably through unilateral opening and application of zero customs tariff on all tariff lines from least developed countries, in order to effectively transform its market into great global opportunities.
China firmly upholds the multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization at its center, and supports developing countries in sharing more benefits from globalization, Li said.
He said China is ready to continue close coordination and cooperation with all parties in international economic organizations, initiate the implementation of the Agreement on Facilitation of Investment for Development, and join efforts to build an open global economy.
“The fundamentals of China’s economy remain strong, and the Chinese government is capable of promoting stable economic growth, and making greater contributions to global development and human well-being,” Li said.
At the ceremony, several foreign leaders and heads of international organizations highlighted in their speeches that the CIIE has become a major international platform for promoting trade and investment, as well as strengthening openness and cooperation.
They expressed confidence in the Chinese economy and its prospects, as well as their intention to strengthen cooperation with China in jointly building the Belt and Road and in such areas as economy, trade, connectivity and green development, maintain free trade, and promote equality, progress and sustainable development around the world.
(Xinhua/Wang Ye)
