Chinese premier meets CEE counterparts on cooperation (3)

BUCHAREST, Nov. 26 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met on Tuesday with prime ministers of Bulgaria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Poland on the sidelines of a summit between China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries in Bucharest on Tuesday.

During the meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski, Li spoke highly of the remarkable achievements the two countries achieved in various areas of cooperation.

China will work with Bulgaria to give full play to the function of their economic joint committee, and work to strengthen cooperation in infrastructure and nuclear power programs.

Oresharski said Bulgaria is willing to expand cooperation with China in such areas as trade, agriculture, transportation and energy, adding that his country welcomes more investment from China.

In the meeting with Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico, Li said next year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of China-Slovakia diplomatic relationship, a new opportunity for the development of bilateral ties.

Beijing pursues the principle that every country, big or small, is equal, said Li, adding that China will join hands with Slovakia to strengthen their cooperation in areas including infrastructure, finance and technological innovation.

Fico said Slovakia will enhance cooperation with China in transportation infrastructure and energy, as well as the collaboration among small and medium-sized companies of the two sides.

While meeting with Czech Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok, Li said the China-Czech Republic relations witnessed a positive momentum of development.

He said China, on the basis of mutual respect, is willing to boost political mutual trust between the two, and expand their cooperation in manufacturing, infrastructure, clean energy and agriculture.

For his part, Rusnok said the Czech Republic and China are facing great potential for bilateral cooperation, while his country sticks to the one-China policy.

Next year also marks the 65th anniversary of the China-Czech Republic diplomatic ties, and Rusnok noted that the Czech Republic will take next it as an opportunity to boost high-level exchanges, expand trade and investment cooperation based on the principle of mutual respect and non-interference of domestic affairs.

During his meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Li hailed Poland's important contribution to promoting China-CEE cooperation.

He said China has attached great importance to its relations with Poland.

China is willing to play an active role Poland's railway improvement project, and promote bilateral cooperation in energy and environmental protection, said the Chinese premier.

Beijing is also considering to increase imports of Poland's brand-name products, said Li.

He called on Poland to make more positive contribution to the development of China's relations with CEE and European nations.

Tusk said China's fast growth provides broad prospect for bilateral cooperation.

Poland will expand bilateral cooperation with China in trade, agriculture, mineral resources, and infrastructure, and continue to play a positive role in promoting CEE-China cooperation and Europe-China relations, he said.

Also on Tuesday, the Chinese premier addressed the opening ceremony of an economic and trade forum for China-CEE countries.