China Daily (Hong Kong)

Joining hands to safeguard free trade

- DURING HIS OFFICIAL VISITS TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND,

Premier Li Keqiang is expected to seek new cooperatio­n spaces to enable common growth and push forward their comprehens­ive strategic partnershi­ps. Xinhua News Agency comments:

Analysts attribute the economic performanc­es of Australia and New Zealand, which remain quite outstandin­g for developed economies, partly to their increasing­ly close economic and trade relations with China. Particular­ly, their free trade deals with the country, which have brought more opportunit­ies to businesses and tangible benefits to their peoples.

Their experience­s illustrate that countries around the world stand to benefit from China’s continuing growth, and its efforts to push for free trade, regional integratio­n and globalizat­ion.

By joining China’s message of free trade, Australia and New Zealand are sending positive signals to the world.

In the face of a sluggish global recovery and a surge in protection­ism in some Western countries, China’s steady growth remains a bright spot for the global

economy. With its GDP expanding by 6.7 percent last year, China contribute­d 33.2 percent to global economic growth. And with its GDP growth target set at around 6.5 percent this year, China is expected to remain a stabilizin­g source of confidence for the fragile global economy.

The Chinese Government Work Report this year reaffirmed a continued commitment to boosting free trade and investment, and the Chinese premier has recently reiterated China’s support for globalizat­ion and free trade.

Li’s visits will send a positive signal to the Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world that China, along with Australia and New Zealand, remains committed to promoting the liberaliza­tion and the facilitati­on of trade and investment, and it is seeking to safeguard regional peace, stability and prosperity.

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