Chinese vice premier meets foreign leaders attending eco forum

GUIYANG, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli on Friday met with four foreign leaders who will attend the opening ceremony of the Eco-Forum Global in Guiyang, capital city of southwest China's Guizhou Province.

During the meeting with Swiss President Ueli Maurer, Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, Tongan Prime Minister Siale'ataonga Tu'ivakano and Thai Deputy Prime Minister Nivatthamrong Boonsongpaisal, Zhang said the Chinese government attaches great importance to the construction of ecological civilization.

China incorporates ecological civilization into economic, political, cultural and social development, said the vice premier. He added that China hopes to use the forum to popularize the idea of ecological civilization, promote international cooperation, jointly cope with climate change and push forward global sustainable development.

When meeting with Maurer, Zhang suggested that China and Switzerland further enhance cooperation in environmental protection, land and urban construction.

He said China should combine its broad market with the advanced ideas and technology of Switzerland, so as to make contributions to sustainable development of the world.

When meeting with Skerrit, Zhang said Dominica is a sincere friend and a reliable partner of China. The two nations should take advantage of the 10-year anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties next year to implement the consensus reached by Skerrit and Chinese President Xi Jinping in June.

He called on the two sides to carry out cooperative projects, strengthen people-to-people exchanges and lift bilateral ties to a new level.

When meeting with Tu'ivakano, Zhang said China and Tonga are both developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region and share broad common interests.

The cooperation between China and Tonga not only brings substantive interests to both peoples, but also promotes the stability and development of the Pacific island region, he noted.

China is ready to work with Tonga to push for more achievements in bilateral relations taking the opportunity of the 15-year anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties this year, he said.

Noting that Dominica and Tonga are both small island nations, Zhang said China fully understands their particular situations and concerns on climate change.

He said China is willing to enhance dialogue and communication with small island nations, so as to jointly enhance the capability of fighting climate change.

When meeting with Nivatthamrong, Zhang said the new Chinese leadership attaches great importance to developing friendly and cooperative relations with Thailand.

"We are willing to work with Thailand to enrich the content of bilateral relations and seek new areas for cooperation, so as to constantly promote the bilateral friendship in the new era," said the vice premier.

The Eco-Forum Global, held from Friday to Sunday, is an independent international organization committed to improving the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders to shape global, regional and industry agendas.