Overview

• Li Qiang delivered the keynote at the World Economic Forum’s ‘Summer Davos’ in Tianjin, urging that trade not be treated as a security or political tool.
• He warned that globalization cannot be reversed and emphasized reshaping international rules through engagement rather than isolation.
• The address comes just before the 90-day trade truce with the United States expires and as tensions with the European Union persist.
• Beijing has enacted new legislation to bolster its private sector and continues a charm offensive to attract foreign investors.
• In the days leading up to the forum, Li met with leaders from Singapore, Vietnam, New Zealand, Ecuador and Kyrgyzstan to reinforce economic ties.