China committed to sharing opportunities with CEE countries

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski in Beijing, capital of China, July 2, 2013. Gruevski is visiting China to attend a conference for leaders from China and central and east European countries that will be held in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality from July 2 to 4. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday that China is committed to sharing development opportunities with Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries.

Li made the remarks during his respective meetings with his Romanian counterpart Victor Ponta and his Macedonian counterpart Nikola Gruevski, who are in China to attend the local leaders' meeting between China and CEE countries.

In his meeting with Ponta, Li highlighted the profound friendship, mutual respect, understanding and support forged between the two peoples, calling on the two sides to expand cooperation in fields such as trade, investment, renewable energy and culture.

When conferring with Gruevski, Li said China values its ties with Macedonia, supports the country's European integration efforts and looks forward to stepping up bilateral cooperation on infrastructure construction and agriculture.

The Chinese premier also briefed the guests on the latest developments in China's economy, noting that the three nations have faced common tasks in national development.

China has maintained stable economic growth by expanding its domestic market needs through various means while also making tremendous efforts to further carry out reform, upgrade the economic structure and improve the the competitiveness of Chinese companies.

Favorable conditions have been created and solid foundations been laid for China's economy to achieve the development targets set for this year as well as in the future, Li told the two prime ministers, adding that China will adhere to the opening-up policy and will strengthen cooperation with other countries.

China-CEE cooperation forms an important part of China-EU relations and serves the interests of all sides, Li said, vowing that China is committed to sharing development opportunities with the CEE countries to boost both the scale and level of cooperation.

Ponta pledged that Romania will actively work to intensify China-Romania cooperation in politics, trade and culture, and promote both China-CEE and China-EU relations.

Gruevski highlighted the high level of the China-Macedonia relationship at present, agreeing to expand bilateral cooperation and promote two-way trade in a bid to score joint development.

The local leaders' meeting between China and CEE countries will be held in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality from July 2 to 4.