China's Li seeks to safeguard free trade amid conflicts with US
TIANJIN, China (Kyodo) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday called for safeguarding free trade and supporting economic globalization at a World Economic Forum meeting in Tianjin, in a veiled warning against the protectionist policies of U.S. President Donald Trump.
At a ceremony during the conference known as the Summer Davos, the premier said, "We will not and cannot return to closed and isolated islands. What we need more is to build more bridges for cooperation and win-win."
Li also expressed opposition to economic decoupling and urged all parties to "avoid politicizing" economic and trade issues. His remarks came amid trade tensions between the world's two largest economies.
Despite a renewed tit-for-tat tariff war between China and the United States following Trump's return to the White House in January, Li said in his speech that Beijing is "confident and capable" of sustaining the country's relatively strong economic growth.
"Over the years, no matter how the international environment has changed, China's economy has consistently maintained a good momentum," the premier said, adding that key economic indicators continued to improve in the second quarter of 2025.
China's economy in the January-March period grew a real 5.4 percent from a year earlier, aided by monetary easing and fiscal stimulus measures.
The premier said the Chinese government will consistently support entrepreneurs and continue to provide a "first-class business environment," calling on companies from all around the world to invest in the world's second-largest economy.
The three-day conference, running through Thursday, has drawn about 1,700 participants from business, government, international organizations and academia across some 90 countries and regions. Speakers include Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
The annual summer meeting has been held in China since 2007, alternating between Tianjin -- a port city near Beijing -- and Dalian in the northeast.
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