China and CEE countries target enhanced cooperation

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Europe

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Saturday met with heads of government from seven Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, vowing to develop relations and boost cooperation.

Li met with heads of government from Latvia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Romania, Montenegro, Czech Republic, and Bosnia and Herzegovina respectively on the sidelines of the seventh leaders' meeting of China and 16 CEE countries in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia.

China, Latvia to boost scientific cooperation

Li and his Latvian counterpart Maris Kucinskis agreed to enhance cooperation in scientific and technological innovation.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Latvian counterpart Maris Kucinskis /CGTN Photo

The Chinese premier said Beijing is willing to work with Latvia to tap their respective advantages, is glad to see Latvia play an important role as a logistical hub in the Baltic region and is ready to work with it to develop economic and trade ties as well as interconnectivity.

Kucinskis said Latvia is China's reliable friend and is willing to work with China to continue enhancing cooperation in scientific and technological innovation as well as in research and development.

China, Slovenia to enhance pragmatic cooperation

Li and Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar agreed to enhance pragmatic cooperation under the framework of the 16+1 cooperation mechanism.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Slovenian counterpart Miro Cerar /CGTN Photo

The Chinese premier said that China-Slovenia friendship and cooperation has seen rapid and steady development, and welcomed Slovenia to participate in the first China International Import Expo, which is due to take place later this year in Shanghai.

Cerar lauded the traditional bilateral friendship, saying that pragmatic cooperation between the two countries has been constantly enhanced under the framework of the 16+1 cooperation and Belt and Road Initiative.

China, Macedonia to enhance infrastructure cooperation

China is willing to actively support the construction of transportation arteries in Macedonia and surrounding areas so as to promote the development of regional interconnectivity and trade, Li Keqiang said at a meeting with his Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev /CGTN Photo

Macedonia enjoys a unique geographical advantage, and transportation infrastructure is one of the critical areas for the two countries to carry out pragmatic cooperation, Li added.

Zaev said the relationship between Macedonia and China has seen fine development.

China, Romania to deepen finance cooperation

Li and Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila agreed to deepen cooperation in infrastructure and finance.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Romanian counterpart Viorica Dancila /CGTN Photo

China supports its enterprises to participate in the construction of Romania's infrastructure and nuclear power projects in a fair and transparent manner, and according to the needs of both sides, Li added.

Dancila said Romania will work with China to cement their friendly relations, increase high-level exchanges and deepen cooperation in the sectors of interconnectivity, finance and aviation.

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China eyes common development with Bosnia and Herzegovina

China is ready to join Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to focus on key fields and deepen pragmatic cooperation for common development, Li said while meeting with BiH Chairman of the Council of Ministers Denis Zvizdic.

Li said China is willing to advance the thermal power project with BiH steadily and supports Chinese companies to participate in BiH's infrastructure construction including upgrading highways and railways.

Zvizdic said the two countries enjoy great potential for cooperation in the fields of industry, energy, transportation and agriculture. BiH is pleased to see that projects such as the thermal power station have progressed smoothly.

China, Montenegro to enhance cooperation

Li and his counterpart from Montenegro, Dusko Markovic, pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

The Chinese premier pointed out that Montenegro's north-south highway is a flagship project of pragmatic cooperation between the two countries, adding that he hopes the two sides can meet each other halfway and speed up its construction to set an example for the two country's major cooperation projects.

Montenegro is willing to continue strengthening cooperation with China in infrastructure construction such as highways and hydropower stations as well as in tourism, Markovic said.

China, Czech Republic to develop ties

Li and his Czech counterpart, Andrej Babis vowed to consolidate the political foundation for a smooth development of bilateral relations and the basic conditions for pragmatic cooperation.

The Chinese premier said that Sino-Czech relations are traveling along a healthy and stable direction, with growing political mutual trust and frequent high-level exchanges.

The Czech Republic is ready to improve the level of trade and investment cooperation with China, Babis said, adding that his country hopes to take part in the first China International Import Expo and will continue to actively participate in the 16+1 cooperation.

Bulgaria is the first leg of Li's week-long trip to Europe, which will also take the premier to Germany on Sunday. It marks Li's first tour to Bulgaria after taking office, and also the first visit to Bulgaria by a Chinese premier in 18 years.

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Source(s): Xinhua News Agency