Chinese premier meets UNESCO director-general

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) shakes hands with Irina Bokova, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), during their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 22, 2013. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Irina Bokova on Tuesday afternoon.

Li said the Chinese government attached great importance to the development of education, science and culture. China gives a priority to the development of education and implement compulsory education, trying to provide the people with fairer and better education opportunities.

He spoke highly of the contribution of UNESCO to world educational, scientific and cultural development, and pledged China's greater support to and closer cooperation with UNESCO .

Bokova said China has made remarkable achievements in promoting educational equality, reducing poverty, protecting cultural heritage and promoting innovations in science and technology.

She said UNESCO would like to apply to other countries the successful model of cooperation between China and UNESCO, in a bid to expand international cooperation in educational, scientific and cultural areas.