On October 28, 2019, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a briefing for Chinese and Foreign Media on Premier Li Keqiang's attendance at the 18th Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government, official visit to Uzbekistan, attendance at the series of Leaders' Meetings on East Asia Cooperation and official visit to Thailand. Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong and Assistant Minister of Commerce Li Chenggang briefed the media on relevant situation and answered questions from Chinese and foreign journalists.

I. On the Attendance at the Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government

Chen Xiaodong expressed, the SCO has always been firmly upholding the Shanghai Spirit, and constantly enhanced cooperation in various areas since its launch 18 years ago, playing an important role in promoting regional security, stability, development and prosperity. Against the current complicated and changing international landscape with increasing instabilities and uncertainties, all parties concerned have greater expectations for the SCO, and hope to deepen practical cooperation, maintain security and stability and promote common development. Premier Li Keqiang's attendance at the Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Uzbekistan is of great significance for implementing the results of the Bishkek summit in June this year, promoting practical cooperation of the SCO and deepening friendly relations with relevant countries.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Premier Li Keqiang will promote Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, share the successful development experience in the past 70 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, and highlight the implementation of the results of the Bishkek summit. He will also exchange in-depth views with leaders of all countries who will be present on enhancing solidarity and mutual trust among the SCO member states, jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as cooperation in such areas as economy, trade, production capacity, connectivity, finance, investment and people-to-people and cultural engagement. According to the general practice, a joint communiqués will be signed and issued at the meeting, and multiple documents concerning organization building and cooperation in relevant areas will also be approved and signed.

Li Chenggang noted, the continuously improved trade and investment environment, the complementary industrial structure and the increasingly open market with huge potential of the SCO member states have opened up broad prospects for deepening regional economic cooperation. The Chinese side hopes to jointly promote the building of the Belt and Road Initiative with the SCO member states, promote alignment of our development strategies and build a SCO home of common prosperity through the platform of the SCO.

II. On the Visit to Uzbekistan

Chen Xiaodong said, Uzbekistan is a comprehensive strategic partner of China and an important cooperation partner of China in the joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative. The visit will be Premier Li Keqiang's first official visit to Uzbekistan, holding great significance for advancing in-depth development of China-Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership and promoting cooperation in the joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative between the two countries. During the visit, Premier Li Keqiang will exchange in-depth views with the Uzbek side on implementing important consensus reached by the two heads of state, advancing the development of China-Uzbekistan relations, and international and regional issues of common concern. The two sides will sign a series of cooperation agreements covering such areas as economy, trade, investment, science and technology and customs.

Li Chenggang said, China and Uzbekistan have enjoyed rapid development of economic and trade cooperation, and actively promoted cooperation in investment, economy and technology. During the visit, the leaders of the two countries will exchange in-depth views on strengthening cooperation in such areas as hi-tech, infrastructure and resource development. The two sides will sign a series of cooperation documents.

III. On the Attendance at the Series of Leaders' Meetings on East Asia Cooperation

Chen Xiaodong said, East Asia sees generally stable situation and prosperous regional cooperation at present, in-depth cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and positive progress in negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The situation on the Korean Peninsula has been eased. The situation in the South China Sea turns for the better. In the mean time, downward pressure on the world economy has increased, unilateralism and protectionism are spreading, and relevant hotspot issues escalate. All these have added more complex factors to the situation in East Asia.

Against such a backdrop, the Chinese side expects the series of leaders' meetings to focus on practical cooperation, join hands to tackle the downward pressure on economy and boost the momentum of development in East Asia. We hope the meetings will focus on multilateralism and free trade to promote a higher-level of economic integration. We expect the meetings to concentrate on dialogue and negotiation, properly manage differences and exchange views on regional situation and hotspot issues in a constructive manner. Premier Li Keqiang will expound on the Chinese side's policies and propositions on China's cooperation with East Asia and put forward about 20 new initiatives on deepening cooperation under various mechanisms.

Li Chenggang expressed, the series of leaders' meetings will build up consensus, deepen cooperation, facilitate regional economic integration, drive the common prosperity and development in the region and send a positive signal in adhering to multilateralism and free trade as well as jointly building an open world economy.

IV. On the Visit to Thailand

Chen Xiaodong expressed, Thailand is China's traditional friendly neighbor and an important partner of the Belt and Road cooperation. As the first official visit to Thailand paid by Premier Li Keqiang in the past 6 years, it carries great significance for further enhancing China-Thailand traditional friendship, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation and promoting bilateral relations for greater development. During his visit, Premier Li Keqiang will have an in-depth exchange of views with the Thai leaders on bilateral relations and cooperation. The two sides will issue a joint press statement between the two governments and sign cooperation documents in such areas as science, technology and e-commerce.

Li Chenggang said, China-Thailand cooperation in trade and investment enjoys rapid development and noticeable fruits. During the visit, both sides will exchange views in an in-depth and extensive way on pushing for the high-quality development of the joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as strengthening cooperation in areas including investment, trade, infrastructure and connectivity. Premier Li Keqiang's visit will vigorously accelerate bilateral cooperation on all fronts and push China-Thailand economic and trade relations to new highs.