On 20 Sept local time, Premier Li Keqiang meets with prominent representatives from the US economic, financial, academic and media circles in New York. (Photos provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

On the morning of 20 Sept local time in New York, Premier Li Keqiang met with over a dozen of prominent figures from US economic, financial, academic and media circles at Waldorf Astoria and answered questions regarding China-US relations and other issues of common interest.

Among those present were: former Mayor of New York City and founder of Bloomberg LP Michael Bloomberg, former Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of the US Treasury Henry Paulson, IBM Chair and CEO Ginni Rometty, Chairman and CEO of the Blackstone Group Steve Schwarzman, Chairman and CEO of Dow Chemical Company Andrew Liveris, President and CEO of MetLife Steve Kandarian, President of the Council on Foreign Relations Richard Haass, and PBS anchor Charlie Rose. The following is a transcript of Premier Li's remarks at the roundtable:

In his opening remarks, Premier Li said: I would like to thank Mr. Bloomberg for moderating today's event. We may not have too many participants today, but I appreciate the presence of so many towering figures and important representatives from the business community, financial sector, think tanks and media.

I particularly appreciate this opportunity to meet my old friends Dr. Kissinger, Secretary Paulson and other old friends. Maybe there are a few that I'm meeting for the first time. I remember receiving a copy of On China from Dr. Kissinger and a copy of On the Brink from Secretary Paulson. China and the US not only have stable political ties, but also enjoy very close business cooperation. I was told that in every second each day, a Chinese is buying an iPhone. Maybe those Chinese customers buying the iPhone are not aware that the real Big Apple is the New York City.

This time I've come to the New York City to attend the General Debate of the UN General Assembly and a series of high-level UN events. And I cherish this opportunity for discussions with prominent figures from relevant circles in New York to exchange views with you on China-US relations and issues of mutual interest.