Premier, US delegation talks trade

PREMIER Li Keqiang yesterday met with an American delegation visiting China for a dialogue with Chinese entrepreneurs and exchanged views with them on China-US trade relations.

The delegation consisted of US business entrepreneurs and some former high-level officials.

This year marks 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. Over the past 40 years, the two countries have witnessed forwardmoving economic and trade ties with win-win results, Li said.

While stressing the importance of extensive common interests between China and the US, Premier Li suggested that both sides, in accordance with the consensus reached by the two heads of state, should follow principles of equality and mutual respect, seek common ground and continue to explore approaches accepted by both sides to resolve differences.

China will open wider to the outside world, and is committed to creating a market-oriented, law-based international business environment where domestic and foreign enterprises are treated equally and protection of intellectual property is given priority to.

It has fully liberalized its manufacturing sector and accelerated the opening up of its service sector, the premier said. “China has a vast market. We welcome enterprises from all countries, including those from the United States, to expand economic, trade and investment cooperation with China and achieve mutually beneficial results,” Li added.

The American entrepreneurs said that US companies are looking at the current US-China trade frictions from a long-term perspective, opposing actions to weaken economic relations with China and economic decoupling between the two countries.

(Xinhua)