Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic met with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday, expressing Croatia's willingness to deepen cooperation with China in various fields and under the China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) cooperation framework.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China values its traditional friendship with Croatia and is willing to further elevate bilateral ties on the basis of their comprehensive cooperative partnership.

Wang noted China and CEEC have a practical need to strengthen exchanges and advance cooperation. Such cooperation is fully open and transparent and helps advance European integration, he said, adding that China stands ready to deepen cooperation in various fields within the framework with countries in the region willing to participate.

China appreciates Croatia's positive attitude and hopes to use the 15th anniversary of the China-CEEC cooperation mechanism next year as an opportunity to revitalize mutually beneficial cooperation, Wang stressed.

On China-EU economic and trade relations, Plenkovic said EU countries, including Croatia, have concerns about trade imbalances. He noted that the recent EU summit positively assessed the consensus reached through the China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism and called for continued communication and dialogue to properly address differences.

Wang said China stands ready to strengthen dialogue with the EU in the spirit of equality and mutual benefit, jointly uphold free trade and promote an open and inclusive economic globalization.

Wang also exchanged views with Plenkovic on the situation in the Western Balkans, saying China hopes regional countries will enhance understanding, rebuild trust and live in peace through dialogue.