NEW YORK (AP) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang told a group of American business executives Thursday that the U.S. and his country need “to work in the same direction” to further what he called “the most important bilateral partnership in the world.”

Li told the roughly 20 executives and others interested in U.S.-China relations that their insights were valuable, and “the actions that you take are crucial.”

Journalists were escorted from the room after Li’s brief opening remarks at the event, hosted by two nonprofit groups, the U.S.-China Business Council and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations.

The latter said the closed-door discussion touched on economic, investment and trade issues and the potential for greater cooperation around shared concerns.

“It is essential to American i

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