Chinese premier reaffirms commitment to opening up at import expo

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday reaffirmed that China will continue to seek high-quality growth and unswervingly promote high-standard opening up, making new contributions to the world economy.

Li made the remarks in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum in Shanghai.

As President Xi Jinping noted, the Chinese economy is like a vast ocean, and so is the world economy. All the seas and oceans in the world are interconnected. The CIIE serves both as an estuary through which the global economy flows into the Chinese economy, and an important bridge that links China with the world, Li said.

This year's CIIE saw a record high number of participating enterprises, fully demonstrating the vitality of China's super-large market, Li said.

Noting that some unilateral and protectionist acts have severely impacted the international economic and trade order, and disrupted the world economy, Li called for upholding equality and mutual benefit, consolidating the foundation of legitimate common interests and safeguarding international fairness and justice.

Li also called for advancing international governance reform and optimizing the international economic and trade rules.

The recommendations for formulating China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), adopted at the recent fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, have injected greater certainty into the country's economic and social development for the period ahead, Li said.

The opening ceremony was attended by about 1,500 participants from 155 countries, regions, and international organizations, including Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria Abbas Tajudeen, and President of the National Council of Slovenia Marko Lotric.

Before the opening ceremony, Li visited the business exhibition. After the ceremony, Li toured the exhibition hall along with the foreign leaders.

On Tuesday afternoon, Li attended the launch ceremony for the "Big Market for All: Export to China" Series of Events and announced the launch of the events.

Chinese premier reaffirms commitment to opening up at import expo

Chinese premier reaffirms commitment to opening up at import expo

In his new year's call to world leaders, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged world leaders to get "priorities straight" and invest in development, not destruction.

"As we enter the new year, the world stands at a crossroads. Chaos and uncertainty surround us. Division. Violence. Climate breakdown. And systemic violations of international law. A retreat from the very principles that bind us together as a human family. People everywhere are asking: Are leaders even listening? Are they ready to act?" Guterres said in his New Year message for 2026.

The scale of global suffering remains severe. More than one-quarter of humanity lives in conflict-affected areas, over 200 million people require humanitarian assistance, and nearly 120 million have been forcibly displaced by war, crises, disasters or persecution, according to UN statistics.

"As we turn the page on a turbulent year, one fact speaks louder than words: Global military spending has soared to 2.7 trillion dollars, growing by almost 10 percent. That is thirteen times more than all development aid, equivalent to the entire Gross Domestic Product of Africa. All, while conflict rages at levels unseen since World War II. On this new year, let's resolve to get our priorities straight. A safer world begins by investing more in fighting poverty and less in fighting wars," said the UN chief.

A UN report released in September 2025 showed that rising military spending comes at a high opportunity cost, noting that less than 4 percent of current global military expenditure could end world hunger by 2030, just over 10 percent could vaccinate every child worldwide, and reallocating 15 percent would be sufficient to cover annual climate adaptation costs in developing countries.

"Peace must prevail. It's clear the world has the resources to lift lives, heal the planet, and secure a future of peace and justice. In 2026, I call on leaders everywhere: Get serious. Choose people and planet over pain. And I urge everyone who hears this message: Play your part. Our future depends on our collective courage to act. This new year, let‘’s rise together: For justice. For humanity. For peace," he said.

UN chief issues New Year's call to world leaders for peace, development