SINGAPORE – The Chinese premier on Tuesday reassured his neighbors that Beijing will pursue the necessary reforms to support growth in the region and maintain peace in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

Prime Minister Li Keqiang said his government would favor reforms of the world's second largest economy, rather than temporary economic stimulus measures, as China faces a gradual slowdown in growth and a trade war with the United States. United.

China can boost its economic slowdown by adjusting its policies, such as streamlining procedures such as business registration, taxes and fees, said Li at a conference on the sidelines of the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, bringing together American and American leaders. the region.

"Despite the downward pressure, we will not resort to massive stimulus measures, we will make the necessary adjustments, we want to boost the market, especially the market entities, and we have the conditions to do so," he said. Li in a broad speech going on the role of China in regional development.

Li said the government would "severely attack" companies that infringe patents and other intellectual property rights and engage in "other fraud activities."

"China will not stop in its opening, the door will only open more widely and China will continue to deepen its reforms." Reform and opening have brought China to where it is going. found today, "Li added.

China and the United States are grappling with a trade dispute over Washington's claims that China uses predatory tactics to acquire technologies that could undermine US industrial leadership. Both countries have increased import duties on billions of dollars worth of goods, including soybeans, electric cars and whiskey.

While pushing the US demands that Beijing mitigate its technological ambitions, Chinese leaders sought to strengthen their own market-opening capabilities by lowering tariffs and facilitating access for foreign companies operating in China to some industries.

In the quarter ended September, China's economic growth slowed down to 6.5% from the previous year, down from 6, 7% of the previous quarter. This deceleration reflects the long-term efforts to steer the economy towards a more sustainable growth model that is less dependent on construction spending and exports. But trade tensions with Washington add to the challenge of communist leaders, with both countries imposing tariffs on billions of dollars worth of goods.

Li expressed his hopes of compromise. US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet at the Group of 20 summit in Argentina this month.

"We hope that the negotiations will be conducted on the basis of mutual respect, balance, mutual benefit and good faith so that a solution can be found acceptable to both parties", a- he declared.

Meetings in Singapore this week will be followed by an annual summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in Papua New Guinea.

Both meetings addressed similar concerns regarding trade, economic integration, regional security and development.

China hopes to see a regional "code of conduct" governing the South China Sea three years from now, the site of several territorial conflicts that have exacerbated tensions in the region.

Despite US objections, Beijing has decided to consolidate its claims over most of the South China Sea, including building artificial islands and military landing strips over coral reefs. Discussions on a code that would belatedly commit such activities have progressed slowly.

"China and the ASEAN countries will benefit from this process, it will also promote free trade and serve the interests of other parties," Li said.

"I want to reaffirm here that China will remain firm on the path of peaceful development," he said. "What we hope is to maintain a harmonious relationship with our neighbors and together we enjoy our good neighborliness."