SOFIA, July 8 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Sunday wrapped up his successful trip to Bulgaria with a clear message that China will further consolidate relations with its European partners and safeguard the multilateral trade regime.

During his stay in Sofia, Li paid an official visit to Bulgaria, attended the seventh leaders' meeting of China and 16 Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs), and held bilateral meetings with CEEC leaders.

The Chinese premier and his CEEC counterparts agreed to further boost bilateral and 16+1 cooperation and, in face of gathering protectionist clouds, reiterated their shared commitment to building an open world economy and making economic globalization more dynamic, inclusive and sustainable.

SAFEGUARD FREE TRADE

Throughout his meetings, Li repeatedly underlined China's resolve to preserve free trade and the multilateral trade regime, which serve as important drivers of world economic growth.

While addressing the issues of safeguarding multilateralism and free trade, opposing protectionism and containing trade disputes, he said no one will win by fighting a trade war.

China never initiates trade disputes, let alone provoking a trade war, but if the other side provokes a trade war by imposing additional tariffs, China will definitely take countermeasures, he added.

That is to defend not only China's development interests but also the rules of the World Trade Organization, he said.

【国内英语资讯:Spotlight: Lis Bulgaria trip promotes China-Europe ties, safeguards free trade】相关文章：

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