Li Qiang Meets with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva

On March 29, 2023, Premier of the State Council Li Qiang met with Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva, who was in China for the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2023, in Boao, Hainan Province.

Li Qiang said that as China steadily ushers in a new stage of pandemic response, its economy has rebounded steadily since the beginning of this year, with market expectations improving at a faster pace. The Chinese economy, featuring a solid foundation and broad prospects, will have a brighter future. The Chinese government will prioritize economic stability and pursue progress while ensuring stability, take targeted measures to strengthen macro policy regulation, unleash the potential of consumption and investment, unswervingly open wider to the world, improve the business environment in an all-round way, and prudently prevent and defuse risks. The Chinese government has the confidence and ability to promote a full economic recovery and accomplish the targets and tasks for the year.

Li Qiang pointed out that with rising unpredictable factors, the outlook of the overall world economy this year is not that optimistic. In the face of complex and severe challenges, the international community should join hands to address them. He stressed the need to uphold multilateralism, unequivocally oppose unilateralism and protectionism, strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination, and keep global industrial and supply chains secure, stable and unimpeded. China has always done its utmost to support the vast number of developing countries in growing their economies and improving people’s well-being. China appreciates the IMF’s active leading role in dealing with debt issues, and supports the IMF in setting up the Resilience and Sustainability Trust to provide funds for developing countries to address climate change.

Li Qiang said that China highly values its relations with the IMF and firmly supports the IMF in playing an important role in global governance. China will continue to deepen bilateral cooperation, foster a more just and equitable global governance system, and increase the voice and influence of emerging markets and developing countries in international affairs.

Georgieva said that China is an important partner of the IMF. In recent years, the IMF’s partnership with China has grown from strength to strength. The Chinese economy enjoys sound momentum and is expected to contribute more than one-third of world economic growth this year, which will bring important opportunities to other countries. The IMF appreciates China’s commitment to multilateralism and its important contribution to preventing debt crises in developing countries. The IMF is ready to work with China to deepen cooperation on macroeconomic policy regulation, prevent trade fragmentation, and help developing countries better cope with debt crises, so as to make the world more stable and secure.

Wu Zhenglong was present at the meeting.