China and Romania pledge closer cooperation

BEIJING - Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang met with Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean on Friday and pledged to boost cooperation between the two countries.

Hailing the traditional friendship and fruitful cooperation between the two nations, Li said the bilateral ties have been developing smoothly in a sustained way as China and Romania respected and supported each other on core interests and major concerns.

"The Chinese side is willing to make joint efforts with the Romanian side to consolidate the political ties and make use of the long-lasting friendship to generate more practical achievements of cooperation, leading the bilateral relationship to a new phase," said the Chinese Vice-Premier.

Vice-Premier Li Keqiang talks with Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean on Friday in Beijing. The two sides vowed to push forward bilateral cooperation and promote China's relations with countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Corlatean arrived in Beijng on Wednesday for a three-day visit. [Photo by Wu Zhiyi/China Daily]

During the meeting, Li said China always attached importance to the role of Europe and is ready to continue strengthening ties with the European Union.

He said the initiation of the European Stability Mechanism recently had sent out a positive signal in the process of addressing the European debt issue. Li believed that a consensus will be reached and the situation in Europe will improve.

"China will continue its support for Europe's push to resolve the debt issue," he said.

Li said the development of Central and Eastern Europe will provide great potential for the growth of the continent.

"(We) hope that the Romanian side will play an active role in promoting the cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries, and make new contribution to advancing the ties between China and Europe," he said.

Corlatean said the Romanian side paid great attention to its ties with China and was willing to increase high-level interactions.

Voicing his welcome for Chinese investment in Romania, the foreign minister hoped for increased cooperation in multiple fields. He said Romania would also play an active part in promoting cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries.

Earlier in the day, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with Titus Corlatean, also vowing to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation.