Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat (left) shakes hands with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing on May 23, 2019. (Photo: MCI)

BEIJING: China will always treat all businesses registered in the country as equals, said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang as he reiterated Beijing's commitment to uphold rules-based free trade.   

He made the assurances when he met Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat in Beijing on Thursday (May 23), amid escalating trade tensions with the United States.