Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers a speech at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Business and Investment Summit via video link on Nov. 13, 2020. -Xinhua/Pang Xinglei
As the COVID-19 pandemic posed a serious threat to the security and health of people all over the world, the global economy is experiencing the worst recession since World War II, Li said. He promised that efforts would continue to be made in cutting taxes and fees, improving the business environment, and stimulating the vitality of hundreds of millions of market entities.
Given the difficulties and challenges posed by economic recession, shrinking trade and rising protectionism, the premier said China would continue to promote cooperation with ASEAN countries, support multilateralism and free trade, and safeguard world peace and development. "We will intensify strategic alignment with ASEAN countries on the basis of mutual benefits and win-win results, and speed up joint construction of the Belt and Road," Li said.