Press Release No. 14/120

Press Release: IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde Concludes Visit to China and Meets with Premier Li Keqiang

March 24, 2014

Ms. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), made the following statement at the end of her three-day visit to China:

“It has been a great pleasure to be back in China. I had the privilege of meeting with Premier Li Keqiang and Vice Premier Ma Kai. I had very productive discussions with the People’s Bank of China Governor Zhou Xiaochuan and Finance Minister Lou Jiwei.

“In my meetings with the authorities, we exchanged views on the global economy, the next phase of China’s development, and China’s increasingly important leadership role at the IMF. As the world’s second largest economy, China has played an important part in helping to stabilize the global economy during the financial crisis. Going forward, China will continue to be a key driver of the global recovery.

“I am deeply impressed and encouraged by the strong commitment of the Chinese authorities to continue the ongoing rebalancing of the economy and to make growth more inclusive, friendlier to the environment, and more sustainable, as outlined in the 3rd Plenum Decision. To tackle challenges facing the next phase of the economic transformation, China needs to comprehensively deepen reforms. Unleashing the potential of the services sector, building a modern financial sector, and promoting inclusive growth, combined with pro-green policies, will help ensure that China achieves such a transformation.

“During my visit I was honored to speak at the 2014 China Development Forum where I met with Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli and other senior policymakers, academics, women leaders and private sector representatives on major issues facing the world and China. Topics included reform of financial systems and moving towards more sustainable growth, building better social safety nets, and empowering women.

“I was also encouraged by the creativity, dynamism, and optimism of the Chinese women, youth, entrepreneurs and “netizens” with whom I met over the past three days, including through a live chat on Sina Weibo and at Tsinghua University where I was privileged to exchange views with faculty and students.

“I would like to express my profound gratitude to the Chinese government and people for their gracious hospitality. I look forward to my next visit in the near future.”