Full coverage: 2017 NPC & CPPCC Sessions

Full coverage: China’s Leaders

(Source: CGTN)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang faced the press at the end of this year's NPC session. He took questions from local and foreign media outlets, and many of them involved China's relationship with the world's largest economy, the United States. The prospect of a trade war between the two nations was a major concern.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang gives a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2017. (Xinhua/Xue Yubin)

Premier Li Keqiang's press conference at the end of the Two Sessions began with questions about the United States.

The Chinese premier appeared optimistic, saying the two sides have common interests that outweigh their differences.

"It's important that both countries maintain strategic focus, sit down to talk with each other, to enhance mutual understanding," Premier Li said.

He warned against a trade war between the two global economic heavyweights.

"China doesn't want to see any trade war breaking out between the two countries. That won't make bilateral trade any more fair," Premier Li said.

He also stressed the importance of the One-China Policy, which the Trump administration initially threatened to ignore. The US has since reaffirmed its support for the One-China policy. Premier Li says with that in place, prospects have brightened. The two sides are in communication for a meeting between Presidents Xi and Trump as early as April. Many thorny issues will be up for discussion, including tensions on the Korean Peninsula, which Li addressed Wednesday.

"Tensions may lead to conflict, which will only bring harm to all the parties involved. So what we hope is that all the parties concerned will work together to de-escalate the situation, and get back on the track of dialogue," Premier Li said.

Premier Li said preventing conflict on China's doorstep was common sense. That extends to the South China Sea, where Li says more progress has been made among countries with overlapping claims. He says the issue is strictly a regional affair.

"It should be decided and resolved by the countries directly involved," Premier Li said.

The premier also touched on Russia, a country with which China has a comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation. Li says both countries' untapped potential is tremendous.