Chinese President Xi Jinping, at the opening ceremony of China's first International Import Expo in Shanghai on Monday, asserted that his country will not close its door to the world and will only become more and more open.
The remark assumes significance as it has come amidst China's trade war with the United States. Accusing Beijing of "stealing intellectual property" the Trump administration has been imposing tariffs on China, claiming that the US was "being treated unfairly in trade."
President Xi, without taking names of any country, further said, "All countries should be committed to opening-up and oppose protectionism and unilateralism in a clear-cut stand. All countries should uphold the principle of inclusive development and shared benefits in order to realize common development," according to news agency Xinhua.
Emphasising on the significance of economic globalisation, he added, "Economic globalisation is an irreversible historical trend and provides strong momentum for the world economic development. All countries should stick to innovation and accelerate transition with traditional growth drivers being replaced by new ones."
He also laid down a roadmap of Chinese imports for the next 15 years and said, "China's imported goods and services are estimated to exceed 30 trillion USD and 10 trillion USD, respectively, in next 15 years. China's initiative to expand imports is not a makeshift, but long-term consideration of embracing the world and future while promoting common development."
President Xi, while highlighting the role of China in developing more free trade ports, said his government would push for increasing bilateral-multilateral cooperation.
"China will speed up exploration of the building of free trade ports with Chinese characteristics. China will push forward multilateral and bilateral cooperation in pursuit of development," he said.
President Xi further said countries should become more self-dependent in solving their own problems and striving to improve their own business.
The remark comes at a time when Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is in China and is attending the International Import Expo.
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