Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

No matter how the international landscape may evolve, China will not change its commitment to expanding high-standard opening up and deeply integrating itself into the world. And we will not stop our efforts. China is ready to work with all parties to jointly build an open world economy, Mao Ning, spokesperson with China's Foreign Ministry, told a press conference on Tuesday.

Mao made the remarks as the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) opened in Shanghai on Tuesday morning. Premier Li Qiang attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech.

Mao said that hosting CIIE is an important step China takes to expand open cooperation. Over the past seven years, CIIE has become a window for China's new development paradigm, and a platform of promoting high-standard opening-up. It shows China's sincerity and inclusiveness in seeking common development with the world. 

As Premier Li Qiang stressed in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the seventh CIIE this morning, as de-globalization, unilateralism, and protectionism are on the rise, it is all the more important that China stays committed to, expands, and upgrades opening-up.

Premier Li Qiang stressed that we should build strong consensus for openness by keeping to our commitment. Only when all parties keep to the pledge of openness with concrete actions can we jointly create a sound atmosphere for open cooperation, and truly make openness a prevailing consensus, according to Mao.  

On advancing and expanding opening-up, China has all along honored its commitment. We will further expand institutional opening-up, actively align with international high-standard trade rules, upgrade pilot free trade zones, and sign high-standard free trade agreements and investment agreements with more countries. Throughout China's opening-up, we will always honor our words with deeds, Li said.  

Premier Li Qiang stressed that we should broaden the space for opening-up by pursuing mutual benefit. Openness based on shared interests is more efficient and sustainable. Zero-sum or winner-takes-all mentality will achieve nothing but hinder development. China is ready to further open up its mega-sized market, including taking unilateral opening-up measures, to share its development opportunities with all countries, and make the big market of China a great opportunity for the world, according to the spokesperson.  

Premier Li Qiang stressed that we should better fulfill the mission of opening-up by embracing our shared future. No country can stay immune to the difficulties in global development, and no country can handle them all by itself. China actively advocates and practices multilateralism, firmly upholds the WTO-centered multilateral trade system, and supports developing countries in better sharing in the dividends of globalization, Mao noted. 

Premier Li Qiang said that after a batch of incremental policies were rolled out, major economic indicators rebounded across the board, market confidence was significantly boosted, social expectations markedly improved, and many positive changes were seen in the economic performance, showing a sound momentum. This shows that China's sound economic fundamentals are not changed, and the Chinese government has the capability of continuing to grow its economy. We are full of confidence in China's economic prospects, according to the spokesperson. 

Running from November 5 to 10, the 7th CIIE has attracted 3,496 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions. It also sets a new record with 297 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders attending the event, the Xinhua News Agency reported. 


Global Times