Chinese premier stresses continued pursuit of high-quality development, expansion of high-standard opening up

GUANGZHOU, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday emphasized that China will continue to promote high-quality development, expand high-standard opening up, and take proactive and practical actions to add more impetus to the world economy.

An aerial drone photo taken on Oct 9, 2024 shows a view of the Ciqikou ancient town in Southwest China's Chongqing municipality. (Photo: Xinhua)

Li made the remarks while delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 140th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province.

Noting this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Canton Fair, Li said that President Xi Jinping specially sent a congratulatory letter, fully affirming the achievements made by the Canton Fair and reaffirming China's determination to expand high-standard opening up.

Through the Canton Fair, the world has witnessed the tremendous vitality in China's economy and society, seen the magnificent journey of hundreds of millions of Chinese people striving forward all the way, and felt the increasingly deep connection between China and the world, Li said, adding that an increasingly open, continuously innovative and trustworthy China brings new opportunities, provides new impetus and injects certainty into the world.

Li pointed out that the Canton Fair has stood the test of shifting international circumstances and kept brimming with fresh vitality, embodying plain yet profound inspirations.

"Market connectivity is not a tool for playing games, but an effective means to generate incremental growth. China is committed to promoting the continuous integration and common growth of its domestic market and the international market, and building an open world economy," the premier said.

Li said China is willing to import more high-quality products, especially high-value-added products. "We hope that more countries will work with China in the same direction, lift restrictions and actively promote the optimized and balanced development of trade," he added.

"As the largest developing country, China has always been committed to promoting common development," said the premier. "China will always be a trustworthy and reliable good friend of developing countries, and is willing to join hands with the vast number of developing countries on the journey to modernization," he added.

He said China stands ready to share more market opportunities, expand more mutually beneficial cooperation, and firmly safeguard the international economic and trade order with all parties.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala delivered a video address, noting that China has achieved remarkable development and provided rare opportunities for the world.

Noting that the Canton Fair is an important platform connecting China with the world, Okonjo-Iweala said that against the backdrop of increasing global uncertainties, it is hoped that all parties will jointly advance WTO reform and build an open, rules-based global trading system.

More than 700 representatives from nearly 90 countries and regions attended the opening ceremony.

This edition of the Canton Fair brought together more than 30,000 exhibiting companies and about 340,000 overseas buyers.