China’s Premier Li Qiang addressed an international audience at the Boao Asia Forum in Boao, Hainan, on March 30, 2023.
Lintao Zhang | News from Getty Images | Getty Images
BO’AO, China — Chinese Premier Li Qiang tried to rally Asian countries behind China in his first public address as premier to an international audience.
On Wednesday, Li claimed China has acted “responsibly” in its role as a big country and generally contributed to world peace.
“Peace is the prerequisite for development,” Li said in Mandarin, translated by CNBC.
His roughly 25-minute speech at the Asia Boao Forum did not address China’s heightened tensions with the US
The annual gathering, hosted by China, is seen by some as the region’s response to the World Economic Forum, which convenes each year in Davos, Switzerland.
However, Li said Asia and the world are at the “crossroads” of history while portraying China as the center of stability.
He referred to the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s autumn congress meeting and its goal of “national rejuvenation,” claiming the country’s “great contributions” to the world are “rapid economic growth” and “social stability.”
Li, who was confirmed as premier in March, said China’s future development will “bring strong momentum to Asia’s economic growth.”
On the outlook for China’s domestic economy, Li said the situation in March will be better than in the first two months of the year.
China reported economic numbers for January and February that showed a modest recovery from last year’s Covid impact.
In January, the country eased its border controls after nearly three years of strict Covid-zero restrictions.
The new premier said Thursday that China will work to expand its domestic market and improve the business environment. He reiterated a government pledge to resolutely prevent financial system risks.
According to state media, Li met with International Monetary Fund executive director Kristalina Georgieva during the forum.
His speech comes as China launched a charm offensive to retain and attract investment from foreign companies this month.
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In particular, Apple CEO Tim Cook visited Beijing. He was among several executives who met with Li on Monday at the conclusion of a government-sponsored conference, the China Development Forum, according to a state release.
Cook also met with Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, China’s economic planning agency.
China “hopes that Apple will continue to actively assume corporate social responsibility and strengthen the protection of data and personal information,” the commission’s meeting notice said, according to a Chinese translation of CNBC.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.