Li urges efforts to defend free trade

He emphasizes joint pursuit of modernization with other nations

Premier Li Qiang called on Tuesday for resolute efforts to defend free trade and true multilateralism and uphold the stability of global industrial and supply chains, reiterating China's commitment to working with various countries in the joint pursuit of modernization through pragmatic and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Li made the remarks during separate meetings with Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa in Beijing, and with Kyrgyz Prime Minister Adylbek Aleshovich Kasymaliev and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Tianjin. The foreign leaders are set to attend the 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos, on Wednesday.

While meeting with Noboa, Li hailed the sound development of China-Ecuador ties, saying that China is willing to continue the traditional friendship with Ecuador, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and promote the deepening and solidification of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, in order to provide more impetus to each other's modernization efforts.