On the afternoon of April 8, 2018, Premier Li Keqiang met at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse with Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) António Guterres, who was in China for an official visit.

Li Keqiang expressed that the current world economy has continuously maintained the momentum of recovery, but its foundation is not solid. Meanwhile, unilateralism and trade protectionism are on the rise. The unstable and uncertain factors are still prominent in the international situation. China has been deeply integrated with the world, which requires a peaceful and stable external environment. As the largest developing country, China stands ready to assume the international responsibilities that are commensurate with its own strength, work with the international community to jointly support trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and oppose trade protectionism, so as to promote the economic globalization to develop in a more open, inclusive, universally beneficial, balanced and win-win direction and make greater contributions to the progress of humankind.

Speaking positively of the relations and cooperation between China and the UN, Li Keqiang stressed that China firmly upholds the basic norms governing international relations based on the UN Charter and supports the UN in playing the core role in international affairs. China will continue engaging constructively in various fields of the UN work, actively promote the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and make unremitting efforts for pushing forward the world peace and development.

António Guterres expressed that China is the major stable factor in international peace and cooperation and the UN is willing to deepen all-round cooperation with China. The current economic globalization faces with some difficulties, but it cannot be solved through unilateralism or protectionism. Instead, it should be dealt with international cooperation and multilateralism. The rules-based international order should be abided by. Protectionism will only harm oneself and others. The UN highly appreciates the positive role China has played in multilateralism and expects that China will continue making positive contributions to climate change, peace-keeping, implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the settlement of international and regional issues.