Premier Li Keqiang advocates free trade, multilateralism

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday called for global efforts to uphold free trade and multilateralism so as to realize world peace and global common prosperity.

Li made the remarks in a speech titled "Pursuing Open and Integrated Development for Shared Prosperity" at the 44th Singapore Lecture.

It is the international order based on multilateralism and free trade that has helped humanity maintain lasting peace and reduce poverty since the end of WWII more than 70 years ago, he said.

Amid international vicissitudes, the international community needs to firmly follow multilateralism, adhere to principles of mutual respect and equality between big and small countries and insist on solving problems through dialogue and managing disputes via negotiations, said the Chinese premier.

It is free trade that promotes the process of globalization, Li said, noting that free trade has underpinned the growth and prosperity of Singapore, and also constitutes the necessary condition for forging ahead with China's opening-up.

Though some say that problems occurred in the process of globalization and free trade need adjustments, China believes that generally speaking, globalization has been adapting to the direction of human development, the premier said.

Stressing that China has always advocated just and fair trade, Li said free trade is the prerequisite for all trade.

"Without free trade, it means no trade, then how can there be just and fair trade? Meanwhile, just and fair trade is an important basis for the continued development of free trade," Li said.

He called for reform measures to address problems that occurred in the process of globalization, adding that those measures should not run counter to the basic rules of multilateralism and free trade and should not, in particular, discard the current regime and start all over again.

"China is willing to discuss with all sides ways to improve free trade and promote the development of globalization," said Li.

"We also stand ready to talk about just and fair trade so as to make free trade more robust and develop at a higher level," he added.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency