Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called for an elevated China-ASEAN partnership, emphasizing the importance of strengthening market connectivity and mutual development. Speaking at the 27th China-ASEAN Summit on Thursday, Premier Li reaffirmed China’s steadfast support for ASEAN integration, community building, and strategic independence.
“China is ready to work with ASEAN countries to elevate our comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level,” Premier Li stated. He highlighted that over the past year, significant strides have been made in building a China-ASEAN community with a shared future, yielding tangible benefits for the peoples of both sides.
Addressing the challenges of a sluggish global economic recovery and insufficient aggregate demand, Premier Li underscored the critical role of market resources. “The market has become the scarcest resource in the current economic development,” he noted, pointing out that China and ASEAN together represent major markets with over 2 billion people.
Premier Li emphasized that the markets of China and ASEAN are undergoing continuous expansion and increased openness. “Strengthening market connectivity is an important direction for further cooperation,” he said. The substantial conclusion of the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA) negotiations marks a significant step toward leading economic integration in East Asia, providing an institutional guarantee for building a hyper-scale market.
“China is ready to make more efforts to develop and share a common market with ASEAN,” Premier Li announced, aiming to generate stronger and more sustainable growth impetus for both sides while providing robust support for regional and global prosperity.
Highlighting the broader significance of China-ASEAN relations, Premier Li pledged to work collaboratively to create a better future for Asia. Reflecting on President Xi Jinping’s commitment, he stated, “China will continue to follow the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness, and work with other countries in the region to build a better Asian community.”
Premier Li proposed building a multidimensional connectivity network, actively promoting cooperation in infrastructure construction, and expediting the signing and implementation of the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement. He called on both sides to expand cooperation in emerging industries, tap into potential areas such as the digital economy and green development, and accelerate industrial transformation.
He also urged for deepened cultural and people-to-people exchanges, promoting the implementation of the Global Civilization Initiative in the region.
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Premier Li calls for elevating China-ASEAN partnership to higher level
cgtn.com
