Premier Li Keqiang Chairs the 21st Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of SCO Member States

Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council presided over the 21st meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the SCO Member States by video on November 1 in Beijing.

Li Keqiang expressed that the SCO Samarkand Summit held in September this year reached a new consensus on advancing the development of the SCO. President Xi Jinping advocates working together to build a peaceful, stable, prosperous and beautiful homeland. China is willing to deepen political mutual trust, mutually beneficial cooperation and friendly exchanges with all parties, vigorously carry forward the “Shanghai Spirit”, and benefit the people of all countries.

Li Keqiang put forward five suggestions on advancing SCO cooperation :

First, deepen cooperation in law enforcement and security, maintain security and stability, and create a favorable environment for development. The second is to improve the level of trade and investment facilitation and promote regional economic recovery. The third is to strengthen interconnection, realize regional integrated development, and maintain the resilience and stability of the industrial chain. The fourth is to improve the level of food and energy supply security to facilitate sustainable development. The fifth is to intensify people-to-people and cultural exchanges and enhance the connection of people’s hearts and opinions.

When introducing China’s economy, Li Keqiang said that since the beginning of this year, China’s economic operation has faced downward pressure that exceeded expectations. We promptly and decisively introduced a package of policies and follow-up measures to stabilize the economy, focusing on ensuring stable employment and prices for market players. Through hard work, China’s economy has shown a steady upward trend. We will continue to promote the full implementation of the “package” of policies and measures to stabilize the economy, which will be fully effective, vigorously promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of the economy, keep the economy operating within a reasonable range, and strive to achieve better results.

Li Keqiang said that the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China held not long ago indicated that China will adhere to the basic national policy of reform and opening up, adhere to the path of peaceful development, and join hands with all parties to promote world peace, stability, development and prosperity. China is willing to continue to deepen the same cooperation of the parties.

Participants at the meeting spoke positively of the SCO’s cooperation achievements in various fields, and expressed their willingness to improve the cooperation mechanism, tap the potential of cooperation, and jointly address challenges such as food, energy security and climate change, and enhance the well-being of the people of all countries.

Wang Yi and He Lifeng were present.