Li Qiang Stresses US-China Cooperation at NY Meeting

NEW YORK — Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized the need for closer US-China collaboration during a meeting with American business leaders on Thursday, calling the relationship “the most important bilateral partnership in the world.”

Addressing roughly 20 executives and other participants, Li said their insights were “valuable” and that their actions “are crucial” for fostering cooperation. Journalists were escorted out after his brief opening remarks at the event, hosted by the US-China Business Council and the National Committee on US-China Relations.

The closed-door discussion focused on economic, investment, and trade issues, as well as potential collaboration on shared concerns. Stephen Orlins, president of the National Committee on US-China Relations, said in a statement: “It is essential to American interests that business leaders and policy experts have the opportunity to discuss key issues, address concerns and maintain working relationships with Chinese leaders.”

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Li is in New York for the United Nations General Assembly’s annual meeting, leading China’s delegation on behalf of President Xi Jinping. He is scheduled to deliver China’s main speech at the assembly on Friday.

The meeting comes amid a complex period in US-China relations, with ongoing debates over trade, tariffs, technology, and geopolitics. Last week, Xi and US President Donald Trump held a lengthy phone call, with plans to meet in person next month at an Asian regional summit in South Korea. Trump also announced intentions to visit China next year.

Li reiterated the importance of mutual effort, stating: “Its steady development requires our two governments to work in the same direction.”