China, Romania call bilateral ties 'exemplary'

China and Romania see in each other a good friend and sincere partner, and their partnership is exemplary for inter-state relations, according to a joint statement released by the Chinese and Romanian governments on Monday. [Special coverage]

The statement came while Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who arrived in Bucharest on Monday, was visiting the Eastern European nation.

In the document, the two sides reaffirmed that they will respect their respective sovereignty and territorial integrity, and accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns, while Romania will hew to the one-China policy and support China's national unification cause.

Speaking highly of China's huge economic and social accomplishments over the recent decades, Romania supports China's comprehensive reform plan rolled out at the just-concluded third plenary session of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee, it said.

Both sides agreed that further deepening China-Romania comprehensive, friendly and cooperative partnership is in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and will promote their cooperation of mutual benefit and win-win results, as well as common prosperity.

Next year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, and the 10th of their partnership.

The two nations said in the statement that they will take it as an opportunity to boost their political, trade and cultural cooperation, and to taken bilateral ties to a new high.

Underscoring the importance of high-level political dialogue in deepening their mutual trust, the two sides vowed to step up such talks, and exchange views over issues of common concerns on such occasions as international conferences.

The two sides also agreed that they should further strengthen cooperation in areas like trade, finance, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, technology, telecommunications, environment protection and tourism.

Romania welcomed investment from Chinese firms and vowed to level the playing field, while China appreciated that Romania has simplified visa application for Chinese business people, and said it will continue to encourage Romanian businesses to invest in China.

Also in the document, the two countries pledged to invest more to boost cultural and people-to-people exchanges so as to enhance the connection between their education and scientific research communities.

The two governments decided to have a series of events next year such as exchanges among experts and scholars, youth innovation camps, communication network for think-tanks, as well as film festivals and art shows.

China appreciates Romania's role as a supporter and contributor in developing the ties between China and Central and Eastern European nations.

Both sides believe that China and the European Union (EU) are important forces for promoting world peace, prosperity and stability, and partners for combating global challenges, it said.

They also believed that the world is in the continuous development process of multi-polarization, economic globalization, cultural diversification, and social informatization.

Under such new circumstances, the two agreed to enhance their communication and coordination, as well as practical cooperation so as to make more contributions to a lasting world peace and common prosperity.

China and Romania reiterated that they will adhere to the UN charter and widely-recognized international norms, and supports the UN in playing a core role in safeguarding world peace and security, and handling all threats to peace and stability.

The two sides firmly opposed all forms of terrorism, and were willing to work with each other in boosting international cooperation in counter-terrorism.

They also agreed to enhance their cooperation in climate change and sustainable development, added the statement.