China’s GDP growth in 2020 a ‘truly hard-won outcome’, says Premier Li Keqiang

China posted 2.3 per cent gross domestic product growth in 2020 despite a steep slump in the first quarter due to the coronavirus shock

Premier Li Keqiang also told a webinar on Wednesday that Beijing remained committed to its relationship with Britain despite recent tensions

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Premier Li Keqiang said China would “maintain continuity, consistency and predictability” in its macro policies and “execute them in a thoughtful and targeted manner, to keep major economic indicators in a proper range”. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:54am, 4 Feb 2021Updated: 2:38pm, 4 Feb 2021

China’s Premier Li Keqiang believes the global economy faces “many uncertainties and destabilising factors” as it battles the coronavirus pandemic, while also insisting Beijing remains committed to its relationship with Britain despite recent tensions.

Li said China will “maintain continuity, consistency and predictability” in its macro policies and “execute them in a thoughtful and targeted manner, to keep major economic indicators in a proper range” while speaking on a webinar co-hosted by the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK on Wednesday.

China posted 2.3 per cent gross domestic product growth in 2020 despite a steep slump in the first quarter due to the coronavirus shock, becoming the only major economy to avoid a contraction last year.

This was a “truly hard-won outcome” but “daunting challenges” posed by the pandemic remain, Li said in a video message.

“Through tireless efforts, China’s economic fundamentals will be more solid,” he added.

Sino-British relations have soured over the past year after Britain ordered equipment from Chinese telecoms giant Huawei Technologies Co. to be completely purged from its 5G network by 2027, and offered Hong Kong residents the chance to become British citizens.

That followed Beijing’s introduction of a national security law in the former British colony.