Successful talks held with CEEC

Editor's Note: Premier Li Keqiang continued a busy schedule of bilateral meetings on Tuesday on the sidelines of the annual gathering of leaders of China and 16 Central and Eastern European countries. Macedonia

While meeting with Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, Li said China is willing to better dovetail development strategies with Macedonia and push forward cooperation on transportation infrastructure construction.

China hopes that Macedonia will give full play of its advantages and take an active part in the construction of the China-Europe land-sea express, Li said.

China would like to explore cooperation with Macedonia on new industries, such as the digital economy, he said.

Hailing the good friendship and close cooperation between Macedonia and China, Zaev said his country is ready to enhance cooperation on trade and economy, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

Zaev said Macedonia welcomes Chinese enterprises to participate in the Balkan countries’ transportation construction.

Serbia

In a meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, Li vowed to further advance infrastructure and production capacity projects such as highways, steel plants and industrial parks to extend production chains for bilateral cooperation

Li said the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has yielded fruitful achievements. He said construction of the Serbian section of the Hungary-Serbia Railway started on Tuesday, marking a breakthrough in progress for the rail line. He urged acceleration in building the China-Europe land-sea express line to inject new momentum into regional connectivity.

Brnabic said Serbia will work with China to advance the rail line and further cooperate in industrial parks, e-commerce and logistics.

Slovenia

In a meeting with his Slovenian counterpart Miro Cerar, Li said China would like to import more agricultural goods and boost cooperation in tourism and automotive manufacturing with Slovenia.

Li said the cross-region economic cooperation mechanism between China and CEE countries is a key part of China-Europe ties and is beneficial to the healthy development of globalization.

Li said both countries have made accomplishments cooperating in agriculture, tourism and scientific and technological research. China has strong capacities in auto manufacturing and is willing to encourage Chinese automakers to participate in the industry in Slovenia, he said.

Cerar said Slovenia would like to strengthen cooperation in fields such as agriculture, auto manufacturing, tourism and winter sports, increasing the value added through collaboration.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Li met with Denis Zvizdic, chairman of Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Noting the continuous growth of practical bilateral cooperation, Li said China would work together with Bosnia and Herzegovina to maintain high-level contacts, promote bilateral ties and facilitate cooperation.

China aims to speed up energy cooperation, a pillar of their practical cooperation, and hopes to facilitate energy projects, Li said.

The two countries also should deepen cooperation in infrastructure, make use of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s location advantage to facilitate cooperation between China and the Balkan region, expand cooperation in agricultural product processing and equipment manufacturing, Li said.