Li eyes deepened ties with Romania

BUCHAREST - Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday made a four-point proposal to step up the comprehensive, friendly and cooperative partnership between China and Romania.

Addressing a full audience in the Parliament Palace, Li, who arrived in Bucharest on Monday for his first visit to the central and eastern Europe as premier, said China and Romania boast a lasting traditional friendship.

He noted that China-Romania ties have entered a new chapter in the 21st century which witnessed increasing political mutual trust on both sides, continuously expanding economic and trade cooperation as well as diversified cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Comparing the China-Romania ties to a ship that has survived the storm of challenges over time and is sailing toward a bright future, the Chinese premier said both sides need to find matching development strategies, deepen practical cooperation and secure their traditional friendship, in order to steer the ship far and steady.

He said China and Romania are both emerging economies with extensive common interests and a broad prospect of cooperation, adding that Romania represents an important pivot point for China in its collaboration with central and eastern European countries and the larger Europe.

Li noted currently international situation is undergoing complex changes. Dealing with crisis, realizing recovery, and safeguarding and improving people's livelihood are still the primary tasks for all countries.

China is willing to work together with Romania to advance the comprehensive, friendly and cooperative partnership, he added. In doing so, he made a four-point proposal.

First, enhancing political mutual trust between China and Romania. The two sides should respect each other, take care of each other's major concerns and expand the converging points of interests, the Chinese premier said, adding that the two countries should create new prospect for bilateral ties by taking the chance of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Romania diplomatic ties next year.

Second, exploring economic and trade cooperation potential. The Chinese premier called for efforts to expand bilateral trade scale, lift industrial cooperation level and promote balanced trade development.

Li proposed the two countries jointly build an economic and technological park to create favorable conditions for bilateral investment.

Third, creating large cooperation projects. China has grasped advanced equipment and manufacturing capacities in many sectors. Cooperation between China and Romania in those areas could bring about mutual benefit and win-win results, said Li, expressing the willingness to joint hands with Romania in strengthening cooperation in nuclear energy and high-speed railways.

China shores up its enterprises to launch cooperation with the Romanian side in infrastructure construction, said Li, adding that China is willing to work together with Romania to make tangible progress in major projects.

Fourth, strengthening cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Both sides should cement and expand current cultural, educational and people-to-people exchanges, so as to pass on China-Romania friendship to the next generation.

Li said he believes China-Romania cooperation could become a model for the cooperation between China and central and eastern European countries, which will in turn inject new impetus into development of China-Europe relations.