China's top legislator Zhao Leji on Thursday urged Asian nations to stay united and prevent the region from becoming an arena for geopolitical fighting in a veiled warning to the United States amid intensifying rivalry between the world's two largest economies.
Zhao, ranked No. 3 in the ruling Chinese Communist Party's leadership, also called on Asian countries to oppose trade protectionism and decoupling in all forms in a keynote speech at the Boao Forum for Asia, the country's state-run media said.
His remarks at the event on southern China's Hainan Island, billed as Asia's alternative to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, came as Washington has been tightening restrictions on Beijing's access to cutting-edge technologies, such as semiconductors, due to security concerns.
Amid China's slowing economic growth, Zhao called for foreign investment, vowing to provide a "first-class" environment and observe high-standard international economic and trade rules.
"Investing in China is investing in the future," said the National People's Congress Standing Committee chairman. "We sincerely welcome all countries to board the express train of China's development."
In 2023, foreign direct investment in China plunged 82 percent from the previous year to the lowest level in 30 years.
Zhao stressed that Beijing will promote green and low-carbon economic development, which is projected to create a market worth 10 trillion yuan ($1.4 trillion) for investment and consumption each year, according to media reports.
He also expressed China's willingness to strengthen cooperation with other countries in scientific and technological innovation to spur economic growth.
For 2024, Beijing has set an ambitious gross domestic product growth target of around 5 percent despite challenges, including a long-running property crisis and mounting local government debt.
Some 2,000 participants from about 60 countries and regions have attended the four-day annual conference through Friday to discuss topics such as the world economy, scientific and technological innovation and international cooperation.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Nauru President David Adeang are among the participants at the forum, which was first held in 2002. The Pacific island nation switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China earlier this year.
