Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic in Riga, capital of Latvia, Nov. 5, 2016. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)
China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries on Saturday pledged to further strengthen their cooperation in areas such as infrastructure construction and production capacity. [Special coverage]
The pledge was made by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in separate meetings with leaders of some CEE countries and Belarus, who was an observer for the fifth summit of China and CEE countries (16+1) held in Riga on Saturday afternoon.
VOICING SUPPORT FOR TOURISM COOPERATION
While meeting Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Li appreciates Croatia's efforts to promote relations with China and cooperation between China and CEE countries.
China would encourage companies to participate in infrastructure construction in Croatia in line with the principle of equality, mutual benefit and win-win results, and hopes Croatia provide favorable conditions and policy support, Li said.
He also voiced support for the two countries' tourism cooperation.
Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties between China and Croatia. Plenkovic said his country will take it as an opportunity to strengthen the conjoining of their development strategies and conduct cooperation on equipment manufacturing.
The Croatian prime minister also welcomed Chinese companies to take part in Croatia's infrastructure construction.
BOOSTING COOPERATION WITH ESTONIA IN E-COMMERCE
While meeting Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas, Li said Estonia is China's good friend and partner in the Baltic Sea region.
China would encourage its companies to join hands with the Estonian side and participate in local infrastructure construction such as railway and ports.
Beijing will also support Estonia's efforts in utilizing its advantage in information technology and e-commerce, and exploring new cooperation areas under the 16+1 framework, Li said.
Roivas said Estonia was ready to strengthen bilateral cooperation in transportation and logistics so as to promote cooperation in e-commerce within the 16+1 framework.
MORE COOPERATION WITH BULGARIA IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT PROCESSING
While meeting Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Li said the two countries are good friends and partners of mutual trust.
China will encourage its firms to work with the Bulgarian side in agricultural products deep processing, said Li, adding that the two sides could also jointly expand markets in third parties, said Li.
Borissov said Bulgaria attaches high importance to the 16+1 cooperation and wants to speed up its cooperation with China.
He also hopes that companies from the two countries could enhance their bilateral cooperation in markets of the third parties.
