1st Ld: Chinese premier to attend UN conference, visit Canada, Cuba

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will attend the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly and pay official visits to Canada and Cuba.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Wednesday that Li's trip will last from Sept. 18 to 28.P Li was invited by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President of the Cuban Council of State and Council of Ministers Raul Castro Ruz, respectively, Hua said.

According to Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong, the premier will outline China's stance on global governance and international order and its measures to cope with global challenges, while addressing the general debate of the UN General Assembly session.

Li will also hold talks with state leaders of other countries during his stay in New York.

"China hopes to take the premier's UN tour as an opportunity to strengthen communication with other sides and underline the basic norms of international relations. The international community should jointly establish a new international order with cooperation and reciprocity at its core," Li Baodong told a press conference Wednesday.

As for the premier's visit to Canada, the first taken by Chinese premier in 13 years, Li Baodong said it shows the importance China attaches to the development of bilateral relations with Canada and will inject a strong impetus into future development.

Cuba, the first country in the Latin American and Caribbean region to have diplomatic ties with China, is the last stop on Li's visit.

Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao said Li will discuss with Raul Castro Ruz how to strengthen the China-Cuba friendship and cooperation. The two sides will also sign cooperation documents in areas such as the economy, technology, energy and nuclear power. Endi