China does not want trade war with U.S., Premier Li says during annual parliament closing statements
Record ID:
451895
China does not want trade war with U.S., Premier Li says during annual parliament closing statements
- Title: China does not want trade war with U.S., Premier Li says during annual parliament closing statements
- Date: 15th March 2017
- Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (MARCH 15, 2017) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** EXTERIOR OF THE GREAT HALL OF THE PEOPLE CHINESE PREMIER LI KEQIANG WALKING IN FOR NEWS CONFERENCE AND WAVING TO MEDIA LI WAVING TO MEDIA LI SITTING DOWN MEDIA SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE PREMIER, LI KEQIANG, SAYING: "We do not want to see any trade war breaking out between the two countries. That would not make our trade fairer and would harm both sides. Now the world pays attention to China-U.S. relations, so our hope on the Chinese side is that no matter what bumps the China-U.S. relationship hits, we hope it will continue to move forward in a positive direction." MEDIA GATHERED (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE PREMIER, LI KEQIANG, SAYING: "We projected the economic (GDP) growth to be about 6.5 percent this year. I have read some foreign media reports saying that China moderately cut the growth rate. However, 6.5 percent growth is not a low speed and will not be easy (to meet)." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE PREMIER, LI KEQIANG, SAYING: "China's position on the North Korea nuclear issue is clear and consistent. (We will) resolutely safeguard denuclearisation of the peninsula, peace and stability on the peninsula, (and look to) resolve issues through dialogue." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE PREMIER, LI KEQIANG, SAYING: "China and ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) are pushing forward with the Declaration on the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea and have achieved substantial progress, which we will continue to actively promote. We hope to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, and we hope that both sides involved can resolve relevant disputes through direct dialogue and jointly safeguard peace, stability and development in the region." MEDIA SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE PREMIER, LI KEQIANG, SAYING: "Our policy towards Taiwan is consistent and clear. (We will) stick to the political basis of the 1992 consensus that represents the One China principle, resolutely oppose Taiwan independence, resolutely protect peace across the Taiwan straits, (and) resolutely protect the peaceful development of the two straits to enhance benefits for peoples from the two straits." MEDIA SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE PREMIER, LI KEQIANG, SAYING: "Because we don't want to use (yuan) depreciation to boost exports, which is not beneficial for enterprises' transition and upgrading. We also don't want to start a trade war, which is not beneficial for international monetary stability." PEOPLE TAKING PHOTOS WITH MOBILE PHONES LI STANDING UP AS NEWS CONFERENCE ENDS MEDIA STANDING LI WAVING TO MEDIA AND WALKING AWAY
- Embargoed: 29th March 2017 08:24
- Keywords: China trade war U.S. USA Trump Li Keqiang trade economy hard landing North Korea South China Sea One China exports peace nuclear Taiwan
- Location: BEIJING, CHINA
- City: BEIJING, CHINA
- Country: China
- Topics: Government/Politics,International Trade
- Reuters ID: LVA001682KV2F
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: China's Premier Li Keqiang said during his annual news conference at the end of China's parliament session on Wednesday (March 15) that Beijing does not want to see a trade war with the United States and urged talks between both sides to achieve common ground.
"We do not want to see any trade war breaking out between the two countries. That would not make our trade fairer and would harm both sides," Li said.
"Our hope on the Chinese side is that no matter what bumps this relationship hits, we hope it will continue to move forward in a positive direction," he added, saying issues that cannot immediately be solved should be "shelved" for the time being.
Premier Li added that forecasts of a hard landing for the world's second largest economy should stop, though domestic and external risks remain and meeting the target of 6.5 percent growth for this year won't be easy.
China has cut its economic growth target this year to around 6.5 percent from its 2016 goal of 6.5 to 7 percent, while pushing through reforms to tackle rising debt and guard against financial risks.
Li also told media on Wednesday that China was committed to the denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula, and urged for issues to be resolved through dialogue.
He added that China meanwhile hoped to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea by pushing forward with negotiations for a code of conduct for rival claimants in the disputed waters.
Li also reiterated in his remarks that China-U.S. relations are founded upon adherence to the "one China" policy, under which Washington acknowledges the Chinese position that there is only one China, of which Taiwan is a part.
"Our policy towards Taiwan is consistent and clear. (We will) stick to the political basis of the 1992 consensus that represents the One China principle, resolutely oppose Taiwan independence, resolutely protect peace across the Taiwan straits," he said.
During the election campaign, U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened to label China a currency manipulator and impose huge tariffs on imports of Chinese goods.
"We don't want to use (yuan) depreciation to boost exports, which is not beneficial for enterprises' transition and upgrading. We also don't want to start a trade war, which is not beneficial for international monetary stability," Li said.
The United States and the EU have long maintained export controls as security measures against China on a range of products with both military and civilian uses.
China's largely rubber-stamp National People's Congress (NPC) roughly 10-day annual session drew to a close on Wednesday (March 15) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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