Development will provide greater opportunities for both countries: Li

BEIJING - Vice-Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday promised to boost imports from Poland as trade between China and the European Union's sixth-largest economy witnessed rapid growth over the past decade.

"China is willing to increase Polish imports, including its safe and competitive agricultural products," Li told the China-Poland Economic Forum, urging Polish businesses to step up their presence in the Chinese market.

Li said the two governments would continue to create favorable conditions for cooperation in the fields of finance, energy, high-tech, infrastructure construction, manufacturing and agriculture.

He said China's economic development would not only bring benefits to its own people but provide greater opportunities for Sino-Polish economic cooperation.

Bilateral trade reached a record high of $11 billion last year, with China maintaining a trade surplus.

Copper is one of Poland's major exports to China, while the nation's metallurgy, engineering and chemical industries play a prominent role in trade with China.

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski also took part in the forum, calling for increased investment from China.

He said that Poland, the only EU member state to avoid economic recession in 2009, is one of the best investment destinations in Europe.

The Warsaw Business Journal said Komorowski wants China to commit to investing $393 million annually in his country. Total Chinese investment in Poland this year is estimated at $328 million.

Stawomir Majman, president of the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency, said earlier that Komorowski's visit, the first by a Polish president in 14 years, is historic and "will create a political umbrella for economic activity".

According to Komorowski, Guangxi-based Liugong Machinery Co Ltd agreed on Wednesday to buy a division of Polish heavy equipment company Huta Stalowa Wola.

He told reporters that there will be direct flights between China and Poland beginning in June next year, and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China plans to open a representative office in Poland, its first in Central and Eastern Europe.

"The direct flights and the opening of the bank office will surely help to boost Chinese investment in Poland," he said at a news conference.

China and Poland on Tuesday announced the establishment of their strategic partnership, a higher level of both political and economic contacts, and all interstate relations.

Komorowski on Wednesday also met National People's Congress Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao, and is scheduled to fly home on Thursday.