Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 6th China International Import Expo and Hongqiao International Economic Forum in Shanghai, capital of China, Nov. 5, 2019.

Li Qiang said that the chairman of the Jinping Xi specially sent a letter to the Expo, reaffirming China's firm determination to promote high-level opening-up and promote the construction of an open world economy. As the world's first national-level exhibition with the theme of import, the CIIE has actively connected China and the world since its inception. The four platforms of international procurement, investment promotion, people-to-people exchanges, and opening up and cooperation have played an increasing role, and the attributes of international public goods shared by the world have become more evident.

After sharing some specific "Expo stories", Li Qiang pointed out that economic globalization is the general trend of history and the aspiration of the people, and openness and cooperation for mutual benefit and win-win results are the wisest and most natural choice. China sincerely hopes to work with other countries to meet each other halfway and achieve mutual success on the big stage of opening up, make economic globalization more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all, and make greater contribution to world economic recovery and global development and prosperity.

Li Qiang stressed that this year marks the 45th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up. China will continue to promote the opening up of "greater market opportunities", actively expand imports, implement the national version and the pilot free trade zone version of cross-border service trade negative list, and continue to create huge market dividends for the world. We will continue to promote opening-up with better alignment of rules, build more high-energy open platforms such as the pilot Free Trade Zone and the Hainan Free Trade Port, actively promote accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership, further relax market access, and protect the rights and interests of foreign investors in accordance with the law. We will continue to promote the opening-up of "stronger innovation drivers", strengthen innovation cooperation and sharing of results with all parties, strive to break down barriers restricting the flow of innovation factors, deepen reform in the digital economy, and promote the free flow of data in an orderly manner in accordance with the law. We will continue to promote openness that is "more inclusive and shared", firmly uphold the authority and effectiveness of the multilateral trading system, fully and deeply participate in the reform of the WTO, unswervingly promote the stability of the global industrial chain and supply chain, deepen the Belt and Road partnership, and firmly oppose unilateralism and protectionism. At the same time, we will give better play to Shanghai's important role in opening up to the outside world, promote the high-level institutional opening of the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, and build the Silk Road E-commerce cooperation pilot zone in Shanghai.

Prime Minister Albanese of Australia, Prime Minister Marrero of Cuba, Prime Minister Smyrov of Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Brnabic of Serbia, First Vice President Mukhber of Iran, Deputy President Mashatilai of South Africa, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Honghe of Vietnam, Deputy Prime Minister Mustafayev of Azerbaijan, Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister Kamikamiga of Fiji, Ortega, Advisor to the President of Nicaragua on Investment, trade and International Cooperation, Putan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand, Alan Greenspan, Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and about 1,500 representatives from 154 countries, regions and international organizations attended the opening ceremony.

Foreign leaders attending the meeting said in their speeches that the CIIE has become an important platform for global economic and trade cooperation, reflecting China's responsibility as a major country committed to deepening reform and expanding opening-up. They are willing to work with China to further strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, infrastructure, e-commerce, health and other fields, promote the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, and firmly support free trade. We support the WTO in playing an authoritative role in promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, maintaining stability and unimpeded international industrial and supply chains, and achieving inclusive and sustainable development in the world.

Source: Chinese government website