Li: China to deepen ties with Central, East Europe

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta meet the journalists at a joint press conference in Brussels, after attending a China-CEE leaders' meeting on Nov 26, 2013.

BUCHAREST - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang made a six-point proposal Tuesday on deepening cooperation with Central and Eastern European (CEE) nations while attending a China-CEE leaders' meeting.

First, he said China and CEE countries should intensify economic and trade cooperation, doubling China-CEE trade volume in five years and discussing a framework agreement for industrial investment in the near future.

Second, China and CEE countries should promote cooperation on transportation infrastructure to open up interconnected land and sea channels between China and Europe. China and CEE nations will also build a transport "artery" for China-Europe logistics by setting up bonded areas and distribution centers along railways and ports.

Third, China and CEE nations should enhance "green cooperation." China backs its enterprises to participate in the CEE nuclear electricity projects and hopes that the host countries would improve investment environment.

Fourth, China and CEE countries should expand financing channels. They need to make good use of the 10-billion-U.S.-dollar special credit line and enhance financial cooperation by setting up branches of financial institutions branches in each other's markets, signing currency swap and settlement agreements.

Fifth, China and CEE countries should further tap into potentials of cooperation at local levels to efficiently and effectively promote their cooperation.

Sixth, China and CEE countries should enhance cultural exchanges by holding regular forums on culture and education, strengthening communication between young politicians, think-tanks and media as well as facilitating procedures for travel and work visa.

The summit, co-chaired by Li and Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta, came on the heels of last week's China-EU summit in Beijing, which unveiled a landmark agreement to increase two-way investment flows.

Li began his Romania trip on Monday and he was the first Chinese premier to visit the country in 19 years. It is also his first visit to the Central and Eastern Europe since he took office in March.