Beijing, China – China Premier Li Qiang pledged to further open his country’s economy to foreign companies.
He also promised to work toward greater balance in international trade, amid rising global economic tensions.
Promoting trade openness
During his participation in the China Development Forum in Beijing,
Li affirmed that his country would increase its imports of high-quality foreign goods.
He also emphasized that China would work with its partners to build
a more balanced and sustainable trading system.
He explained that China seeks to expand the volume of global trade
and improve the investment environment.
He further noted that this supports shared economic growth.
Record surplus raises concerns
This trend comes after China recorded a record trade surplus of approximately $1.2 trillion in 2025.
This has led to international criticism regarding the trade imbalance.
Beijing is facing increasing pressure from its partners, particularly the United States and the European Union,
due to what they consider unfair trade practices and excess production capacity.
Easing economic tensions
In this context, Chinese central bank officials sought to reassure markets,
emphasizing that assessments of economic imbalances should encompass trade in services and financial accounts, not just goods.
Furthermore, they stressed that Beijing is not seeking a competitive advantage through currency devaluation.
These statements coincided with the postponement of US President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing.
This visit was intended to ease tensions between the world’s two largest economies,
particularly given Washington’s preoccupation with developments in the Middle East.
