Li calls for greater SCO integration

Country stands ready to deepen mutual trust with member states, premier says

Premier Li Keqiang called on the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to strengthen connectivity in order to achieve greater regional integrated development and maintain the resilience and stability of industrial and supply chains.

Li made the remark when hosting the 21st meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the SCO, which was held via video link on Tuesday.

The premier also highlighted the need for the organization to expand cooperation on law enforcement and security, improve liberalization and facilitation of regional trade and investment, better guarantee the supply of food and energy, and promote people-to-people exchanges.

Safeguarding peace and promoting development remain the trend of the times and enjoy public support at a time when the world faces with complicated changes and a sluggish economy, Li said.

The SCO meeting came after the SCO Samarkand summit held in Uzbekistan in September. President Xi Jinping attended the summit and reached a number of important common understandings with other leaders on SCO cooperation in various areas, which pointed the way forward for SCO development.

Li reiterated that China stands ready to deepen mutual trust, mutually beneficial cooperation and friendly exchanges with all parties, act in the Shanghai Spirit and bring benefits to people of all countries.

Speaking of the Chinese economy, the premier said that despite the greater-than-expected downward pressure, a package of policies for stabilizing the economy and follow-up measures have been introduced in a timely and decisive manner. Throughout such efforts, the Chinese economy has gained recovery and growth, he said.

Li said that China will continue to fully implement the policy package and promote stable, sound and sustainable economic development in order to keep the economy running within a reasonable range and strive for better results.

The premier told participants at Tuesday's meeting that the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which was held from Oct 16 to 22 in Beijing, has stated that China will stick with the fundamental national policy of reform and opening-up, stay on the path of peaceful development and join hands with all parties to promote world peace, stability and development.

The meeting's participants spoke positively of SCO cooperation in all fields and expressed their willingness to further improve the cooperation mechanism, tap potential for future cooperation and jointly deal with challenges facing such areas as food and energy security and climate change.