CNN \u2014 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
China<\/a> is prepared for \u201cpossible unexpected shocks,\u201d Premier Li Qiang told a gathering of global executives in Beijing, where he urged them to \u201cresist protectionism\u201d and defend globalization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CEOs including Apple\u2019s Tim Cook, FedEx\u2019s Raj Subramaniam and Pfizer\u2019s Albert Bourla gathered in the Chinese capital over the weekend for a two-day forum that comes as US President Donald Trump has ratcheted up trade pressure on China in a bid to rebalance what he sees as an unfair relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Li warned that \u201cdecoupling and breaking supply chains would only deepen crises,\u201d while pledging to further expand market access in various sectors for foreign investors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf the world returns to the law of the jungle, it will be a step backward in history and a tragedy for humanity,\u201d he said on Sunday during an opening address at the annual gathering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have prepared for possible unexpected shocks, which, of course, mainly come from external sources. Where necessary, the Chinese government will introduce new policies to ensure the smooth operation of the Chinese economy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The stakes are high for Li\u2019s pitch message, which comes as China seeks to project confidence<\/a> \u2013 and reverse plummeting foreign investment<\/a> \u2013 in its slowing economy at a time when Beijing and the US-China business community are braced for the impact of Trump\u2019s tariffs, which could escalate next month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The gathering, known as the China Development Forum, has long served as a key opportunity for exchange between top Chinese officials and foreign business leaders. This year, it has an outsized importance as a platform for informal US-China diplomacy in a moment of uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Li met with US senator and Trump ally Steve Daines on the sidelines of the gathering for a conversation that Daines described<\/a> to the Wall Street Journal as a \u201cfirst step\u201d toward a meeting between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Executives from major US firms including Qualcomm, Pfizer, FedEx and Boeing also joined that gathering, where Li stressed that the US and China \u201cshare extensive common interests and a broad space of cooperation\u201d and called for their \u201cwin-win cooperation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trump has repeatedly suggested that he hopes to reach a deal with China and Xi. The US president signaled<\/a> on Friday that America\u2019s top trade official and Chinese counterparts could hold talks this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n