Decoupling of China, US would harm both sides, world: Premier Li

Chinese premier says two countries should develop their relationship on the basis of equality, respect

ISLAMABAD: The decoupling of China and the United States, two major economies, will do neither side any good, and it is also harmful to the world, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday in his annual news conference.

The premier said that differences, disagreements and even frictions are unavoidable given the two countries' differences in terms of social systems, 3 cultural heritage and historical backgrounds.

"What's important is how we manage these disagreements and differences," he said, noting that the bilateral relationship has been moving forward in the past decades amid twists and turns.

At the moment, China-US relations have encountered some new problems and challenges," Li said, but also noting that there are many areas where the two countries can and should work with each other on tackling both traditional and non-traditional challenges.

He said that the economies of the two countries have become closely interconnected and both sides have benefited tremendously as bilateral economic and trade ties have come a long way.

"I believe economic cooperation and trade between our two countries should continue to follow business rules. We should leave the decisions to the market and entrepreneurs," he said.

Noting that China-US ties concern the interests of people in both countries as well as the whole world, Li said that any problem that occurs in this relationship will be a cause of concern for the international community.

The premier said that differences, disagreements and even frictions are unavoidable given the two countries' differences in terms of social systems, cultural heritage and historical backgrounds.

"What's important is how we manage these disagreements and differences," he said, noting that the bilateral relationship has been moving forward in the past decades amid twists and turns.

The two countries should develop their relationship on the basis of equality, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, and embrace cooperation that will be conducive to both countries and the world, he said.

Research underway to develop vaccine

China and many other countries are investing into the research and development of vaccines, effective drugs and testing agents, which, when available, should become public goods, said Premier Li adding China is ready to share those products.

All countries are working on preventing and controlling the spread of this new contagion and are gaining experience along the way, Li said at a video news conference, adding vaccines, effective drugs and testing agents are powerful weapons humanity can use to overcome the virus.

China, like many other countries, believes there should be efforts to research the origin of the novel coronavirus, as such efforts will help containing the Covid-19 pandemic and protect the lives and health of the people around the world, he added.

The Chinese people have brought the outbreak under control through painstaking efforts, and are sharing pandemic-related information with the international community in an open, transparent and responsible manner, said the prime minister.