G20 summit: Chinese Premier Li Qiang urges group to be inclusive, not confrontational

Speaking at an event that President Xi Jinping skipped, Li calls for joint effort to boost world economy and urges ‘unity not division’

The group also agreed to admit the African Union, while a declaration on Ukraine urged respect for territorial integrity but did not directly condemn Russia

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives Chinese Premier Li Qiang ahead of the G20 summit. Photo: dpa

Published: 10:09pm, 9 Sep 2023Updated: 5:54am, 10 Sep 2023

Chinese Premier Li Qiang urged the G20 to work together to secure global economic recovery on Saturday, calling for “inclusion” rather than “confrontation”.

The Group of 20 summit began in the Indian capital New Delhi amid doubts over whether it could reach any consensus on the war in Ukraine and a leaders’ declaration issued on the first day of the gathering avoided direct condemnation of Russia.

Instead it called on all states to refrain from acting against the territorial integrity of any nation, adding that the “G20 is not the platform to resolve geopolitical and security issues”.

Li adopted a conciliatory tone in his speech to the event, which President Xi Jinping has skipped for unknown reasons.

“The G20 members should act as partners in promoting global economic recovery through effectively strengthening macroeconomic policy coordination ... “[and] provide impetus for world economic growth” Li said, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua.

“The G20 members should resolutely promote economic globalisation, jointly maintain the stability and smoothness of industrial and supply chains,” Li said.