Premier Li urged Chinese people around the globe to participate in the country’s innovation drive and economic and trade cooperation with the rest of the world, during the Second Global Overseas Chinese Industry and Commerce Convention in Beijing on June 12.

Overseas Chinese people’s excellent characteristics of diligence, wisdom, and credibility have won respect and friendship in the countries where they live, the Premier said, acknowledging their great contributions to promoting China’s opening up and modernization.

With steady economic growth, accelerated structural upgrading and a stable job market, China has been gaining a competitive edge in drawing investment and as a large commodity market. The Premier expressed confidence in attaining this year’s economic target, while maintaining a medium-to-high growth rate and moving toward a medium-to-high level of development.

Premier Li then called for overseas Chinese to take the initiative in participating in China’s innovation drive. China is implementing the innovation-driven strategy to gain new momentum of growth and transform traditional industries, partly by streamlining government administration and cutting taxes for enterprises, as well as encouraging mass entrepreneurship and innovation.

“I hope overseas Chinese can utilize their advantage in capital, technology, management, commercial network and talents, and actively participate in China’s innovative development,” the Premier said.

He also urged overseas Chinese to promote economic and trade cooperation between China and the rest of the world. China will promote a new round of high-level opening-up, further ease control over market access for foreign investment and create a more fair and convenient business environment.

“I hope overseas Chinese can bring into full play their unique advantages in connecting China with the world and pooling resources, play an active role in promoting the Belt and Road initiative and economic cooperation, and expand the third-party cooperation to better achieve mutual benefit,” the Premier said.

He also encouraged them to carry forward traditional virtues of the Chinese nation, abide by local laws, actively assume social responsibility and build a good image of the Chinese people in an effort to facilitate exchanges and cooperation in various fields between China and foreign countries.

Both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China, the Premier said. “Overseas Chinese should make due contributions to the peaceful reunification of China by safeguarding the one-China principle and recognizing the ‘1992 consensus,’” he said.

State councilors Yang Jing and Yang Jiechi also attended the meeting.

Over 600 overseas Chinese representatives from more than 100 countries and regions around the world joined the meeting.