Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum. Here are the key takeaways from Li's speech.

CIIE underscores China's vast market appeal

Li said the CIIE is an "estuary" through which the world economy flows into China's economy, and it is also an important bridge linking China and the world. This year, the number of exhibitors at the CIIE hit a new record again, fully demonstrating the vitality and dynamism of China's super-sized market, the premier said.

Li outlines principles of safeguarding global trade

Li called for upholding equality and mutual benefit, and strengthening the foundation of legitimate common interests. "The more the world economy slows and global conflicts intensify, the more we must adhere to mutually beneficial cooperation and embrace free trade, and work together to resolve contradictions and problems through development," he said.

He stressed the importance of upholding moral righteousness and truly safeguarding international fairness and justice. "In today's world, the futures and destinies of all countries are closely intertwined. We must balance righteousness and interests, stand together through thick and thin, and help one another," he added.

The premier also underscored the necessity of advancing governance reform and improving the international economic and trade rules system. China is ready to work with all parties to actively implement the Global Governance Initiative in the field of international trade, and to reform and improve the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, according to Li.

High-quality development and opening up key to China's strategy

The fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee approved the recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan, injecting more certainty into China's economic and social development in the coming period, Li said.

This essentially comes down to two certainties – the certainty of development and of opening up, he said.

China will continue to put economic development at the center, focus its efforts on promoting high-quality development, and make new and important contributions to global economic growth, Li stated.

China will unswervingly advance high-standard opening up, steadily expand institutional opening up, and push forward pilot demonstrations for greater opening in the services sector, the premier said, adding that a China that continues to advance toward modernization will inject more stability and positive energy into the world.

Source：https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-11-05/Key-takeaways-from-the-Chinese-premier-s-CIIE-speech-1I3jt7TzveE/p.html