Premier Calls China ‘Anchor for World Peace,’ Optimistic on Economy

The four-day gathering comes as Beijing rolls out a charm offensive to court overseas business and investment and bolster its diplomatic efforts. Photo: Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) — Premier Li Qiang called China an “anchor for world peace” while expressing optimism about the recovery in the world’s second-biggest economy in a keynote speech at a forum that included business and government leaders from around the globe.

“Chaos and conflicts must not happen in Asia, otherwise the future of Asia would be lost,” Li said Thursday at the Boao Forum for Asia amid tensions between China and the U.S. over issues including trade, technology and Taiwan. He also urged nations to “firmly safeguard the hard-won peaceful environment.”