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In Europe, Chinese Premier Li Qiang doubles down on opposition to decoupling
- Li tells Paris conference that China’s development is an opportunity for the world – not a threat
- Beijing is ready to play its part in debt relief to spread burdens fairly, he says
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Chinese Premier Li Qiang capped his week-long trip to Europe with a rejection of “decoupling”, urging the continent to “rise above differences” with China and to cooperate on global problems such as climate change and poverty alleviation.
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In his closing speech at a forum in Paris on Friday, Li repeated Beijing’s opposition to disengagement with the European Union and framed China’s development as a big opportunity for the world, rather than a threat.
“China will unequivocally reject trade protectionism and all forms of decoupling and severing of supply chains,” Li said at the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact.
He said developed nations should take responsibility for climate change and China would continue to take practical steps to support its fellow developing countries.
“China is ready to be engaged in debt relief efforts in an effective, realistic and comprehensive manner in keeping with the principle of fair burden-sharing,” Li said, as Zambia struck a major debt restructuring deal with its creditors, the biggest being China.
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Throughout the trip, Li urged Paris and Brussels to maintain strategic autonomy and boost cooperation with Beijing to “build more resilient supply chains”.
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