Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang delivered a strong rebuke on Tuesday against several Western countries that have been advocating for a reduction in their dependence on China. Li dismissed
such calls as a "misrepresentation" in a world where economies are interconnected.
During his speech at the opening of the World Economic Forum in Tianjin, Li addressed the issue, stating, "Some people in the West make a fuss about the principle of reducing dependence and eliminating risks." He emphasized that this notion is a "false representation."
Li highlighted the reality of economic globalization, stating, "With the development of economic globalization, the world economy has become an interconnected community." He further emphasized that countries' economies are intertwined, mutually dependent, and experience shared prosperity and development. He stressed that this interdependence is fundamentally positive, rather than negative.
The European Commission recently unveiled its strategy to address economic security risks, primarily focused on China. Germany has expressed its intention to diversify its partnerships in order to "reduce risks" associated with its significant reliance on China. Other Western countries have expressed similar concerns.
The current edition of the World Economic Forum, also known as 'Summer Davos,' is being held in China for the first time since 2019. The event will continue until Thursday, facilitating discussions on various economic matters and global cooperation. Photo by China News Service, Wikimedia commons.