Chinese premier seeks to ‘expand practical cooperation across the board’ with US

ANKARA

Chinese Premier Li Qiang sought to "expand practical cooperation across the board" with the US, saying the two countries enjoy “the most important bilateral relationship in the world."

"Looking back into the past, friendly interactions have been the mainstream and overarching trend in China-U.S. relations. Looking ahead into the future, the two countries need to find the right way to get along with each other in the new era," Li said in a meeting with business executives on the sidelines of UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. He is due to deliver his speech to the assembly on Friday.

The gathering was attended by representatives of the US-China Business Council, the US Chamber of Commerce, the National Committee on US-China Relations, and the Council on Foreign Relations.

Li added that both sides should adhere to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.

On the economic front, Li pledged that China would continue to provide opportunities for foreign businesses despite global uncertainties.

He outlined three commitments: Advancing steady economic and trade recovery with the US on the basis of equality, ensuring robust growth through China’s vast market and innovation-driven economy, and expanding openness by increasing imports, easing market access, and addressing foreign firms’ concerns.

Li stressed that the foundation of bilateral relations rests with the people, and hoped that people from various sectors in the US will take more proactive actions to increase the mutual understanding between the two countries, expand practical cooperation across the board, and make greater contributions to the development of and friendship between Beijing and Washington.

China and the US have been locked in an intensifying trade battle since earlier this year, with both sides continuing talks to reach a lasting deal.

Besides geopolitical and strategic issues, other points of contention between the world’s two biggest economies include US operations of TikTok, minerals, computer chips.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid