At the Virtual G20 Leaders’ Summit in Beijing on Wednesday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang noted in his speech that while the road to global economic recovery is still difficult, China is ready to “uphold the original aspiration of cooperation.”
Li called on G20 member countries to prioritise development cooperation and “oppose the politicisation of development issues,” adding that “more practical measures should be taken to implement the consensus reached” at the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi.
“It is necessary to coordinate and cooperate more closely, revitalise multilateralism, continue to strengthen macro policy cooperation, and pay more attention to the concerns of developing countries in the reform of the World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund,” Li stated.
Premier Li Qiang attended the Virtual #G20 Leaders' Summit. It’s time that G20 members come together and lead by example to tackle global crises. Development should be given priority and multilateralism be upheld. #China will continue to contribute to global efforts for recovery. pic.twitter.com/y6DPBYTW9f
— 王鲁彤 Wang Lutong (@WangLutongMFA) November 23, 2023
The Premier added that China has demonstrated “through practical actions [...] its firm determination to promote high-level opening up and to share development opportunities with the world,” and will “continue to work with all parties in an open and inclusive manner to make greater contribution to world economic recovery and global development and prosperity.”
Many other global leaders at Wednesday’s virtual summit spoke on the Israel-Hamas conflict, calling on the community to extend timely humanitarian assistance, not allow the violence to spread, and find a long-term solution to the Palestine issue.
However, interestingly, the Chinese Premier’s speech reportedly only focussed on the issue of development cooperation among the member countries of the G20.