Li stresses importance of China-US dialogue

Premier Li Keqiang called on Friday for more dialogue and communication between China and the United States, saying that the door opened 50 years ago by the icebreaking visit of then US president Richard Nixon should not be shut again, nor should there be any decoupling.

"Getting the China-US relationship right serves the well-being of the people of both countries, and currently there are many global challenges that require their cooperation," Li said as he took questions from the media following the conclusion of the fifth session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing.

He said that disagreements are unavoidable given that China and the US have vastly different social systems and cultures, and are at different phases of development, but China believes that cooperation should prevail because global peace and development hinge on it.

According to Li, China-US trade volume exceeded $750 billion last year, an increase of 30 percent over the previous year.

"This shows that there are extensive areas and huge potential for China-US cooperation. If the US chooses to ease its export restrictions on China, the two-way trade volume will grow even bigger, thus delivering more benefits to both countries and their peoples," he said.

Li said China hopes that both sides act in accordance with the consensus reached between the two heads of state during their virtual summit in November.

"We hope both countries properly manage differences in a rational and constructive manner, and respect each other's core interests and major concerns," he said, adding that even if there is market competition between China and the US in terms of trade and the economy, it should be benign and fair competition.

"China is ready to work with the US to expand common ground and pursue long-term interests," Li said.

Speaking about the Ukraine issue at the news conference, the premier said China is deeply concerned about the current situation and is willing to play a positive role for the early return of peace.

"We support and encourage all efforts that are conducive to a peaceful settlement of the crisis. And the pressing task now is to prevent tension from escalating or even getting out of control," Li said.

He said China calls for maximum restraint to prevent the occurrence of a massive humanitarian crisis and has put forward an initiative in response to the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.

"We will continue to provide humanitarian assistance for the Ukrainian side," Li said.

The first shipment of humanitarian assistance provided by the Red Cross Society of China to Ukraine left Beijing on Wednesday, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The premier also said that while the world economy is already struggling amid the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, sanctions will further hurt the world economic recovery and are not in the interest of any country.

He stressed that China always follows an independent foreign policy of peace.

Regarding the situation in Ukraine, China maintains that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter should be observed, and the security concerns of all countries should also be taken seriously, Li said.

"On this basis, China makes its own assessment and will work with the international community to play a positive role for an early return of peace," he added.