IMF Managing Director Meets Chinese Leadership and Participates in the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing

May 16, 2017

Ms. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today made the following statement in Beijing, China:

“It has been a great pleasure to be back in China on the occasion of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. I had the privilege of meeting with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, and other world leaders and senior officials.

“The Belt and Road Initiative aims to connect economies, communities, and people. It holds great potential to bring benefits in terms of high-quality infrastructure, inclusiveness, and economic cooperation. The IMF can help in this effort by providing policy advice, financial support as appropriate, and hands-on training and capacity building—so that economies can maximize the benefits of more investment, trade, and financial connectivity, while maintaining economic and financial stability.

“In the context of the Belt and Road Forum, the People’s Bank of China and the IMF agreed to establish a new China-IMF Capacity Development Center to support effective institution-building and policymaking in countries along the Belt and Road and beyond.

“In my meetings with President Xi, Premier Li and other leaders, we exchanged views on the global economy, how to strengthen cooperation to tackle global challenges, and the role of the IMF in supporting its member countries.

“I am encouraged by the resilience of the Chinese economy and recent efforts by the Chinese government to address financial risks. Continued implementation of announced reforms will help strengthen the foundation for sustained, balanced and inclusive growth. I also expressed my appreciation for China’s continued support for international cooperation.

“I would like to congratulate the Chinese government and the people of China for hosting a successful Belt and Road Forum and express my deep gratitude for their gracious hospitality. I look forward to visiting China again in the near future.”

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