Premier Li Keqiang interacts with American friends in New York

By HU YONGQI (chinadaily.com.cn) Updated: 2016-09-22 15:48

Premier Li Keqiang speaks at a welcoming dinner in New York, Sept 20, 2016.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Susie Gharib, Senior Journalist, Fortune Magazine: Premier Li, thank you very much for your very refreshing speech and your encouraging words. Many American business leaders tell me that they are very worried about the current backlash to globalization and global trade that's building here in the US. And I am sure you've heard that the candidates who are running for president here in the States have very harsh words about the loss of American jobs and unfair global trade agreements. Given that China's economic growth really depends on global trade and you said that there is a mutual interest between our country and China, how concerned are you about this developing trend? What would you say to the presidential candidates in terms of advice, and also to the American public to reassure them that they shouldn't worry about this?

Premier Li: I am coming to New York to attend the UN high-level events. Before I came here, some friends said to me that they don't think I am coming to the city at the right time, since the US presidential election is at a dead heat. This is the United States' internal affair. So for me, things I can say about this topic are very limited. But I recall that in the 1980s, during my visit to the United States, I visited the headquarters of the two presidential campaigns. At both places, I was asked whether I like the presidential candidates. To both of them I said that no matter who gets elected, I have confidence in the continued growth of China-US relations. (Applause.)

Considering my current capacity, I can only repeat what I said years ago. That is, no matter who gets elected in the US presidential election, I believe that China-US ties will continue to grow in a positive direction. (Laughter and applause.)

Tomorrow I will give a statement at the General Debate of the UN General Assembly. In my statement, I will definitely say something about globalization and trade liberalization and investment facilitation. But don't misread it as having anything to do with the US presidential election. (Laughter and applause.)

Globalization may have some adverse impact on certain sectors and groups. But I believe that to address these downsides, we must rely on continued globalization, trade liberalization and investment facilitation, just as one must not give up eating for fear of choking on food, as a Chinese saying goes. Following in the heels of the United Kingdom, the United States has been the biggest beneficiary of globalization and trade liberalization, and China is also one of the beneficiaries. So China wants to work with all members of the international community to continue to advance trade liberalization and advance globalization as appropriate. In the meantime, we should also pay high attention to the calls of relevant groups and see to it that their concerns will be properly addressed. But all in all, I believe that the world will continue to move forward.