During the China Development Forum, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang addressed concerns from businesses regarding market access, public tendering, and cross-border data flow. Li assured that some issues have already been resolved, while efforts are ongoing to find solutions for others. He emphasized the government’s commitment to making services more efficient and protecting the rights of businesses of all types. Li expressed optimism that a more open China would create opportunities for win-win cooperation on a global scale.
Li also discussed the potential for increasing China’s urbanization rate, noting that less than half of the population has permanent urban residency. By granting more permanent residency to those who have moved to cities, Li expects to unlock consumer demand for various services. He highlighted the positive start to the Chinese economy this year, citing rapid growth in various sectors. Despite setting a growth target of around 5%, challenges remain, but Li expressed confidence in providing certainty and positive energy for global economic recovery and stability.
The Forum also focused on Beijing’s efforts to revive confidence in the Chinese economy through various measures, including promoting foreign investment and supporting hi-tech firms. President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to a Chinese-German joint venture highlighted China’s interest in technology advancements. The emphasis on large-scale industrial equipment renewals, the trade-in of cars and home appliances, and the development of advanced manufacturing underscore China’s commitment to modernizing its industrial system and creating business opportunities. Li reiterated China’s openness to companies worldwide to invest and thrive in the country’s continued development.
