China's Premier Li Qiang seeks to rally Asia behind Beijing
BO'AO, China — Chinese Premier Li Qiang sought to rally Asian countries behind China in his first public address to an international audience as premier.
On Wednesday, Li claimed that China had acted «responsibly» in its role as a big country, and generally contributed to world peace.
«Peace is the prerequisite for development,» Li said in Mandarin translated by CNBC.
His speech of about 25 minutes at the Boao Forum for Asia did not delve into China's heightened tensions with the U.S.
The annual meeting, hosted by China, is seen by some as the region's answer to the World Economic Forum's gathering of global leaders every year in Davos, Switzerland.
However, Li said Asia and the world are at the «crossroads» of history, while portraying China as a center of stability.
He referenced China's ruling Communist Party's congressional meeting in the fall, and its goal of «national rejuvenation» claiming the country's «great contributions» to the world were «rapid economic growth» and «social stability.»
He said China's development going forward would bring «strong momentum to the economic growth of Asia.»
Li met with International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva during the forum, according to state media.
His speech comes as China went on a charm offensive this month to retain and attract investment from foreign businesses. The country in January relaxed its border controls after nearly three years of strict Covid-zero restrictions.
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