Premier Li Keqiang Holds Virtual Dialogue with U.S. Business Leaders

On April 13, 2021, Premier Li Keqiang attended a virtual dialogue with U.S. business leaders in Beijing. Board chairmen and CEOS from the Us-china Business Council and over 20 U.S. multinational companies attended the dialogue. Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and Chairman of the Paulson Institute Henry Paulson chaired the dialogue.

Li said that China welcomes the active participation of companies from the United States and around the world in its reform and opening-up, as well as its modernization process. He called upon the two sides to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state and uphold the principles of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect, and win-win cooperation, respecting each other’s core interests and major concerns, enhancing dialogue and communication, expanding practical cooperation, and properly handling differences.

Noting that trade between the two countries in 2020 increased despite multiple challenges, Li said this indicates that there are objective conditions and opportunities for cooperation between the two sides.

Li also indicated that China will further open up, work towards creating a market-based and law-governed business environment that meets international standards, and promote reforms to delegate power, streamline administration, and optimize government services, ensuring a level playing field for domestic and foreign enterprises.

Participants from the U.S. side said that the U.S. business community supports the increasing mutual trust between the two sides through communication, enhancing their coordination and cooperation in areas including epidemic prevention and control, climate change, sustainable development and innovation, and resuming people-to-people exchanges as soon as possible.