China Daily Global Edition (USA)
Premier engages with leaders in useful one-on-one talks
Editor’s note: Premier Li Keqiang met foreign leaders on the sidelines of a series of leaders’ meetings on East Asia cooperation in Manila on Monday. Here are highlights of some of the talks.
Japan
When meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Li Keqiang said that there are some positive changes in China-Japan relations while some sensitive factors still exist.
It is hoped that Japan will work with China to push forward their relations, overcome difficulties and challenges, maintain the improving momentum and achieve new development, Li said.
They should jointly promote negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership as well as a China-Japan-South Korea free trade agreement, Li said.
Abe said Japan believes the two sides are cooperative partners, not posing a threat to each other, and they should strengthen high-level exchanges and consolidate improving momentum.
The two sides should strengthen economic dialogue and explore construction of connectivity under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, Abe said.
New Zealand
In his meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Li said China is willing to work with New Zealand to further tap their complementarity and press forward with upgrading their bilateral free trade agreement.
China-New Zealand relations have maintained positive momentum since the establishment of diplomatic ties 45 years ago, Li said.
Ardern said New ZealandChina relations are of great significance, and the two nations have always had mutually beneficial cooperation. They are both committed to promoting social development and people’s well-being, she said.
New Zealand is ready to advance bilateral talks on upgrading their FTA, Ardern added.
Cambodia
Li, meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, said China is ready to maintain high-level contact, strengthen pragmatic cooperation and promote cultural exchanges.
Li said that Cambodia is a sincere friend, and China supports the country’s efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and independence, maintain domestic stability and speed up economic development.
China is ready to work with Cambodia to ensure the success of celebrations next year marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, Li said.
China also will assist Cambodia’s hosting of the second Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting, Li added.
Hun Sen said Cambodia and China share a profound and friendly relationship. Cambodia is ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in fields such as governance and infrastructure construction, he added.
Republic of Korea
When meeting with ROK President Moon Jae-in, Li urged Seoul to continue making substantive efforts to remove obstacles in bilateral ties to ensure their steady development.
China and the Republic of Korea have reached some consensus in dealing with the issue of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in the current stage, Li said.
It is hoped that China and the ROK will synergize their development strategies, he said.
Moon said that bilateral ties are now at a new starting point. Seoul is ready to work with China to reshape mutual political trust and resume cooperation in the economy, trade and people-to-people exchanges to get ties back on track at an early date, Moon said.