Chinese premier arrives in Brussels for China-EU leaders' meeting

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrives in Brussels, Belgium, June 1, 2017. Li is scheduled to attend the 19th China-EU leaders' meeting in Brussels and pay an official visit to Belgium. [Photo/Xinhua]

BRUSSELS -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived here Thursday for the 19th China-EU leaders' meeting in Brussels.

Upon his arrival, Li said China and the EU are contributors and beneficiaries of world multipolarization and economic globalization. He urged the two sides to jointly confront the instability of the international situation with a stable bilateral cooperation.

Li hopes his visit could further promote China-EU relations in a stable and in-depth way, while boosting both sides' confidence in stability, cooperation and development.

The relationship and pragmatic cooperation between China and Belgium have always been a model in China's relations with European countries over the past 46 years since the two countries established their diplomatic links, he said.

China is willing to work with the Belgian side to blaze new trails in a pioneering spirit and tap the potential to the full to push forward the China-Belgium all-around partnership of friendship and cooperation for the benefit of the two peoples, Li said.

During his stay in Brussels, Li will co-chair the China-EU leaders' meeting with President of the European Council Donald Tusk and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker. Li will also hold talks with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel and meet Belgium's King Philippe.

Li is expected to discuss China-EU cooperation, as well as international and regional issues of common concern with European leaders, attend a series of activities in Brussels, including a China-EU business summit, a China-EU dialogue on innovation cooperation, a signing ceremony of cooperation documents between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and activities marking the China-EU year of tourism.

During Li's visit, China and the EU are expected to sign several cooperation agreements in trade, logistics, new energy vehicles, education, finance, tourism and SME, said the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

China and the EU, two important players on the world stage, enjoy a comprehensive strategic partnership. The EU is China's largest trading partner while China is the EU's second largest trading partner.

Li's Brussels trip came after his official visit to Germany where he attended the annual meeting between Chinese premier and German chancellor. Li is scheduled to attend the 19th China-EU leaders' meeting in Brussels on Friday and pay an official visit to Belgium.