CHINESE Premier Li Qiang delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum in Shanghai on Tuesday, saying China has continued to walk the talk in expanding opening-up and that the country is capable of promoting sound and steady economic growth.

China will continue to open its telecommunications, education, culture and medical care sectors, and adopt unilateral visa-free policies, Li added. He also called for efforts to implement more bilateral and multilateral trade agreements.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organization, said in a video speech that as geopolitical tensions intensify, it is crucial for global political and business leaders to work on reforming the multilateral trading system.

Roy Jakobs, CEO of Royal Philips, lauded China’s development as an innovation hub and said it is crucial to understand the country’s supportive policies that not only facilitate innovation within the country, but also around the globe.

The CIIE serves as an important platform through which foreign companies can closely connect with players in the technology sectors, and the Chinese Government, he said.

Philippe Metzger, secretary-general and CEO of the International Electrotechnical Commission, said that global cooperation is becoming increasingly crucial to the adoption of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, in a safer and more sustainable manner.

The seventh CIIE, which runs through Sunday, has attracted the participation of about 3,500 overseas exhibitors, including a record 297 industry leaders and Fortune Global 500 companies.

First launched in 2018, the world’s biggest import expo has become an influential global trade event and a barometer of the Chinese market.

On Tuesday, Li also held separate meetings in Shanghai with Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, all of whom attended the opening ceremony.(Xinhua)