Li Qiang attends the opening ceremony of the China Development High-Level Forum 2026 Annual Meeting and delivers a keynote speech.

On the morning of March 22, Premier Li Keqiang attended the opening ceremony of the China Development High-Level Forum 2026 Annual Meeting in Beijing and delivered a keynote speech. Li Keqiang stated that the current international situation is undergoing profound and complex changes. As President Xi Jinping pointed out, this is a time full of challenges but also hope. Looking at the global landscape, we see a variety of situations coexisting, intersecting, and colliding: unilateralism and protectionism are rampant, while forces seeking cooperation and development are also growing; traditional economic growth in certain areas is facing challenges, while the development momentum in emerging areas is flourishing; the international rules-based order is being seriously disrupted and challenged, but many countries are actively promoting reform and improvement of global governance; power politics is on the rise, but voices defending fairness and justice are also increasingly heard. These phenomena reflect deep-rooted conflicts in ideologies, from an economic development perspective, it is mainly about how to view the market, development, and the future. Here, I would like to share three thoughts. First, the market is already a scarce resource, but it can be continuously created. Looking back at history, every time the world economy has emerged from difficulties and moved towards prosperity, it is not by competing for existing market shares, but by opening up and technological progress creating new market opportunities. Protectionism is not a panacea for problem-solving. We should adhere to openness, innovation, expand free trade, and actively promote innovation. China's imports and exports are conducted under a rules-based framework of fair trade, and China will resolutely promote high-level opening-up, import more high-quality goods from abroad, work together with all parties to promote the balanced development of trade, and jointly expand the global economic and trade pie. Second, development inevitably comes with competition, but healthy competition can lead to mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. By taking a positive attitude towards competition and promoting cooperation through practical measures, we can complement each other's strengths. China's competitive advantages in relevant industries are not achieved through subsidies and protection, but through persistent deepening reforms, advancing innovation-driven development, and most importantly, the diligence and hard work of the Chinese people and enterprises. We oppose disorderly and irrational vicious competition, but under market economy conditions, healthy competition can stimulate greater development momentum. China will continue to work towards maintaining a fair and competitive market order, and is willing to strengthen communication and collaboration with all parties to promote the stability and security of the global supply chain. Third, although the road ahead is full of challenges, a brighter future is within reach. Only with steadfast confidence, shouldering responsibilities, and taking real actions, can we courageously move forward and shape a future worth looking forward to. China is committed to becoming the "anchor of certainty" and the "harbor of stability" for the world. The "14th Five-Year Plan" is not only a new blueprint for China's development but also a new opportunity for global development. China will focus on promoting high-quality development, strive to maintain stable economic growth, continue to create a favorable business environment, fully implement national treatment for foreign-invested enterprises, and allow enterprises from all countries to develop and flourish in China with peace of mind.