Speaking at the ASEAN-Gulf-China Economic Forum in Kuala Lumpur on May 27, 2025, Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for deeper regional cooperation and the removal of trade barriers between Southeast Asian and Gulf countries. His comments come at a time when global trade is increasingly shaped by protectionist policies and geopolitical realignments.
“Facing rising protectionism and unilateralism in some places of the world, we must be committed to expanding opening up and removing barriers,” Li stated, without naming specific countries. He also reaffirmed China’s support for a multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core.
Premier Li also expressed confidence in China’s economic resilience. Despite deflationary pressures and sluggish domestic demand, Chinese exports have shown “resilience despite external pressure”. Beijing is ramping up fiscal expenditure to an all-time high in 2025, directing more resources to stimulate domestic consumption and unlock long-term demand potential.
These remarks align closely with China’s broader strategy to shift from an export-dependent model to one based on high-tech innovation and self-sufficiency. The Made in China 2025 initiative plays a central role in this transformation. It focuses on elevating China’s capabilities in semiconductors, aerospace, robotics, green tech, and advanced manufacturing—positioning the country not just as a producer, but as a global tech leader.
🔗 To better understand this strategic vision and its implications for the global economy, read:
Made in China 2025: la Cina punta alla leadership tecnologica globale
Would you like this adapted for a press release, blog post, LinkedIn article, or social media caption? I can also help with SEO keywords or embedding this in a webpage if needed.