On the afternoon of 25 November local time, at the invitation of Prime Minister Victor Ponta of Romania, Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council arrived at Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport by special plane, kicking off an official visit to Romania. Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta personally led the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Regional Development and Public Administration, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, as well as a number of Cabinet Ministers to greet the Chinese delegation at the airport. Chinese Ambassador to Romania Huo Yuzhen as well greeted at the airport.
Local youths presented bread and salt to Li Keqiang in accordance with Romanian traditional etiquette to express welcome to the distinguished guest coming from afar. Ponta held a grand welcome ceremony for Li Keqiang at the airport. The Military Band played the national anthems of China and Romania. Li Keqiang, accompanied by Ponta, inspected the three-service honor guard and the march-past. It is the first time in 20 years that the Romanian government held a welcome ceremony for a foreign guest at the airport.
During the visit, Li Keqiang will hold talks and meet with Romanian leaders, deliver a speech at the Romanian Parliament, visit Chinese-funded businesses in Romania and extensively contact Romanian people from all walks of life in a bid to push for new development of China-Romania relations and cooperation. During the stay in Romania, Li Keqiang will jointly attend the China-CEEC Summit with state leaders of 16 CEE countries and deliver an important speech at the opening ceremony of the Third China-CEE Economic and Trade Forum. He will as well meet respectively with participating state leaders to exchange in-depth views on China-CEEC relations and mutually beneficial cooperation.
Following the welcome ceremony, Ponta accompanied Li Keqiang by the same car to visit the Prime Minister’s Office for talks
Official visit to Romania of Mr. Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China from http://gov.ro/en
From November 25 to November 28, 2013, Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China will pay an official visit to Romania , in response to the invitation made by Victor Ponta, Prime Minister of Romania on his visit to Beijing in July 2013 .
Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China will be accompanied by an important government and business delegation. It will be the first visit to Romania of a Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China after 19 years.
The visit aims at strengthening the bilateral political relations, both at political and economic level and in other areas, within the framework of the Ample Friendship and Cooperation Partnership between Romania and the People’s Republic of China and in the context of preparations for the 65th anniversary, in 2014, of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Partnership.
In the bilateral talks, the two senior officials will analyze the stage of relations between Romania and the People’s Republic of China, on the three main levels of cooperation – political and economic dialogue, human relations respectively. There will be discussed at the same time the guidelines for strengthening and deepening of the Romanian- Chinese relation, through concrete projects of mutual interest.
There will be adopted a Joint Declaration of the Government of Romania and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on deepening bilateral cooperation. During the visit, Premier Li Keqiang will hold a speech too in the Romanian Parliament.
Also, on the visit, there will be signed several bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of energy (nuclear, thermal power station, hydroelectric power station), veterinary, industrial, information society and culture.
The two Prime Ministers will also have an exchange of views on the proposals on the agenda of the meeting of Heads of State and Government of Central and Eastern Europe -China ( 16 +1 ) , which will take place in Bucharest on November 26, 2013 .
Also , during discussions, special attention will be extended to proposals for strengthening the strategic relationship between the EU and China, following major policy decisions taken at the EU- China Summit held in Beijing on November 21-22 this year.
There will be addressed other topical issues on the international agenda.
Schedule
Monday, November 25, 2013
12.10-12.25 Romanian delegation travels to the International Airport “Henri Coanda” Presidential Salon , C Wing
1:00 pm Mr. Li KEQUIANG, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China, arrives on the International Airport “Henri Coanda” Presidential Salon, C Wing
Welcome by: Victor Ponta, Prime Minister of Romania
Participants:
Chinese delegation:
1. Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs
2. Xu Shaoshi, Minister of National Development and Reform Commission
3. Lou Jiwei, the Minister of Finance
4. Gao Hucheng, Minister of Trade
5. Xiao Jie, Deputy Secretary- General of the State Council
6. Ning JIZHE, director of the Research Office of the State Council 7
7. Huo YUZHEN, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of RP China in Romania
8. Song TAO, Deputy Minister of Foreign Ministry, Secretary General of the Secretariat for Cooperation between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe
9. Shi GANG, Head of the Prime Minister Chancellery
1: 25 pm, Travel to Victoria Palace
1.40 pm Arrival of the two Prime Ministers at the Victoria Palace
Access of the official media
1.45pm-2.45pm Plenary discussions of the two delegations
Location: Muntenia Hall
Participants:
Chinese delegation:
1. Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs
2. Xu Shaoshi, Minister of National Development and Reform Commission
3. Lou Jiwei, the Minister of Finance
4. Gao Hucheng, Minister of Trade
5. Xiao Jie, Deputy Secretary- General of the State Council
6. Ning JIZHE, director of the Research Office of the State Council 7
7. Huo YUZHEN, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of RP China in Romania
8. Song TAO, Deputy Minister of Foreign Ministry, Secretary General of the Secretariat for Cooperation between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe
9. Shi GANG, Head of the Prime Minister Chancellery
10. Zhang ZHENG, interpreter
2:45 pm-3:00pm Document signing
Location: Transilvania Hall
Working language: Romanian – Chinese, consecutive translation;
Press access: all press
Participants:
Signatories for the Chinese side:
1. GAE HUCHENG, Minister of Commerce
2. HUO YUZHEN, Chinese Ambassador to Romania
3. XU SHAOSHI, Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission
4. LU YONG, Regional Manager from HUAWEI Company
5. ZHANG CHUANWEI, President of MINGYANG Wind Power Group
6. HE YU, President of China General Nuclear Power Group
7. ZHAO RUOLIN, President of China National Electric Engineering Corporation
8. LI QINGKUI, President from China HUADIAN Engineering Corporation
9. YUN LIAN, Executive Vice President of SINOHYDRO
3:00pm -3:15 pm Joint press statements of the two Heads of Government
Location: Transilvania Hall
Working language: Romanian – Chinese, consecutive translation
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
PALACE OF PARLIAMENT
08:38am-08:56am, Reception of high guests, the Prime Ministers of the participating countries, by Mr. Victor Ponta, Prime Minister of Romania along with Mr. Li Keqiang Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China
Location: Central hall
All media has access.
09:00am- 09:30am, Opening of the businesspeople forum sessions “China- Central and Eastern Europe” in the presence of Mr. Victor Ponta , Prime Minister of Romania and Mr. Li Li KEQIANG Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China
Location: Al. I. Cuza Hall, 1st floor
Working language: Romanian – English – Chinese, simultaneous translation
10:00am-11:45am Opening sessions of the China – Central and Eastern European Countries
Summit:”MEETING OF HEADS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF CHINA AND CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES”
Location: Human Rights Hall
Opening remarks by:
Mr. Victor PONTA, Prime Minister of Romania(10`)
Mr. Li KEQIANG, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China
Press access – only for illustrations
11:50 am-11:55am Family photo
Location: Central Hall
12.00-12.15 Press statements
Location: N. BĂLCESCU Hall
Working language: Romanian – Chinese –English, simultaneous translation
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
4:00pm-4:30 pm, Speech by Mr.Li KEQIANG, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China in the plenum of the Romanian Parliament, in the presence of Mr. Victor Ponta, Prime Minister of Romania ; Location: The Plenum Hall of Parliament
Remarks by H.E. Li Keqiang Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China at Third China-Central and Eastern European Countries Economic and Trade Forum
2013/11/28
Towards Brighter Prospects for Win-Win Cooperation
Remarks by H.E. Li Keqiang
Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China
At Third China-Central and Eastern European Countries
Economic and Trade Forum
Bucharest, 26 November 2013
The Honorable Prime Minister Victor Ponta,
Distinguished Leaders,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to visit Romania, a good friend of China, and attend the Third China-Central and Eastern European Countries Economic and Trade Forum. Let me extend, on behalf of the Chinese government, my hearty congratulations on the opening of the Forum and my sincere thanks to all the people who have cared for, supported and participated in the cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs).
Prime Minister Ponta just now outlined the theme of the Forum, a gathering that the Romanian government has made thoughtful arrangements for. The full house we see today augurs well for China-CEEC cooperation. Just days ago, the 16th China-EU Summit was held successfully in Beijing. The two sides jointly issued the China-EU 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation, which mapped out a new blueprint for future cooperation between China and the EU. What is crucial now is to translate the agenda into reality. That is precisely what my colleagues and I are here for. Europe is an important global player, and China has been a staunch supporter for European integration. A united, prosperous and growing Europe conforms to the trend of world peace and development and meets China’s fundamental interests. CEE countries are an important part of Europe, enhanced practical cooperation between China and CEE countries is conducive to the development in the respective countries, to a more balanced development in Europe, and to making the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the EU richer and more substantive.
China and CEE countries enjoy a profound traditional friendship. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, CEE countries offered us invaluable support by taking the lead to establish diplomatic ties with New China. Over the past 60 years and more, our friendly relations have stood the test of changing international landscapes and become increasingly vigorous as time goes by. In recent years, we have braved the impact of the international financial crisis and the European debt crisis and scored fresh progress in trade and economic relations through strengthened unity and deepened cooperation. In 2012, two-way trade topped US$50 billion for the second consecutive year and the accumulative investment approached US$5 billion. Meat, dairy and other products from CEE countries have become household items in China, and more Chinese companies are investing and carrying out business activities in CEE countries. Bilateral cooperation in the financial sector has become closer and practical cooperation across the board is showing a strong dynamism.
That said, we are fully aware that China-CEEC trade is only about one tenth of China-EU trade and the CEE countries represent an even smaller share in terms of China’s investment in Europe. This, however, speaks for a huge potential for China-CEEC cooperation. As emerging markets, CEE countries enjoy a sound momentum of growth and a broad prospect for development. As a developing country, China is in a development stage similar to CEE countries with comparable per capita income and strong economic complementarity with CEE countries. It is high time that China and CEE countries tapped their cooperation potential, cultivated cooperation highlights and accelerated development of their economic relations.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The world is now undergoing complex and profound changes. Global economic recovery has been quite bumpy with advanced economies begining to show signs of improvement while emerging economies coming under considerable downward pressure. To free ourselves from the underlying impact of the international financial crisis, it is essential that we enhance international cooperation and reject trade and investment protectionism. China and CEE countries share a tradition of treating all countries as equals irrespective of size and respecting one another. Our efforts to achieve win-win outcome and common development will stand a good chance if we can build on past cooperation, extensively explore new cooperation measures and steadily expand our converging interests. Today, we will jointly issue the “Bucharest Guidelines for Cooperation”. To ensure its effective implementation and further progress in the all-dimensional, wide-ranging and multi-tiered win-win cooperation between China and CEE countries, I would like to make the following proposals:
First, we should double our trade volume once again. China-CEEC trade has been doubled in the past few years, but the volume remains quite modest. We should work together to double our trade once again in the next five years. We will jointly declare 2014 as the China-CEEC Investment and Business Promotion Year during which China will hold a series of functions such as a China-CEEC ministerial round table on trade and economic cooperation, a CEEC commodities fair and a China-CEEC agricultural cooperation forum to spur a rapid trade expansion. China does not seek trade surplus with CEE countries, but is ready to promote a dynamic balance in trade by buying more quality agricultural products from CEE countries such as beef, mutton and dairy, and encouraging more Chinese citizens to tour CEE countries.
Second, we should work together to build a number of large infrastructure projects. CEE countries face a heavy task of infrastructure overhaul and development which calls for a massive introduction of capital, technology and equipment. China’s manufacturing industry is world renowned and made-in-china equipments have become more mature and sophisticated. Particularly in railway, electricity and other sectors, China has acquired a strong capacity in technology and equipments as well as rich experience in construction and operation. Chinese equipments are highly competitive, reliable and cost-effective. China is ready to step up cooperation with CEE countries in high-speed and regular rail, nuclear and other power generation, roads, ports, telecommunications and other areas. And we need to launch a number of large projects as soon as possible so as to boost a fast rise in two-way investment and a substantial increase in trade.
Making a good use of the financing channels is important for proposed cooperation in large projects. The US$10 billion special credit line set up by China last year is well-received in CEE countries. We are ready to work with the relevant applicants to ensure that the credit line be used more promptly and effectively through more flexible and convenient ways consistent with related international rules. The China-CEEC Investment Cooperation Fund (stage one) has been launched. The Chinese side supports the launching of its stage two at an appropriate time by China’s financial institutions. We welcome capital replenishment by CEEC financial institutions in this project and hope to see more applications by relevant enterprises under the project. We also encourage our financial institutions to set up branches in each other’s countries. What is more, China is ready to sign currency swap and settlement agreement with more CEE countries.
Third, we should actively expand two-way investment between enterprises. China is ready to sign a framework agreement on industrial investment with CEE countries and support its competent enterprises in investing in Central and Eastern Europe. With employment being the biggest issue concerning people’s wellbeing in both China and CEE countries, we should encourage cooperation by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as they employ lots of people and can create more jobs. China is also ready to explore the establishment of a China-CEEC SME exchange and cooperation platform, hold policy seminars on SME investment promotion, and organize a special fair for SMEs of 16 CEE countries. China is ready to work with CEE countries in helping respective enterprises secure market access, residence visa and work permit and creating conditions favorable for them to make mutual investment and carry out innovation. It is also our hope that think-tanks, business associations and mass media will each play a distinctive role so as to send a strong signal for all-out development through cooperation. I am confident that China-CEEC cooperation will achieve faster, steadier and more extensive development in the years ahead.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
China’s development will not be possible without cooperation with other countries and a prosperous and stable world also needs a China that enjoys development and progress. In the face of a grim situation featuring sluggish global economic recovery and an increasing downward pressure on the domestic economy, the Chinese government has, since the beginning of the year, remained calm and, while keeping the economy within a reasonable range, focused itself on streamlining the administration, delegating power to lower levels, readjusting economic structure, and boosting market vitality and creativity and unleashing reform dividends by relaxing market access and encouraging private investment. With statistics of the previous ten months showing clear improvement in many economic indicators, China’s economy has made the turn for the better. We have good reasons to believe that the main economic and social development targets set for the year will be achieved, thus laying a solid foundation for continued growth next year and a long-term and sustained development of the Chinese economy.
The Third Plenum of the 18th CPC Central Committee held recently made important arrangements for China’s comprehensive reform. We will continue to deepen reform, further expand opening-up, properly handle the relationship between government and the marketplace so that the market can play the decisive role in resource allocation and the government play a better role. In so doing, we will continue to unleash creativity and internal driver of society, achieve a more efficient, more equitable and more sustainable development and lay a solid foundation for completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and realizing the Chinese dream for China’s great renewal.
The comprehensive deepening of China’s reform and a sustainable and steady growth of the Chinese economy, coupled with a vigorous development of China-CEEC relations will generate enormous business opportunities for our enterprises. Preliminary estimates suggest that between 2013 and 2020, China will import around US$3 trillion of goods from Europe and Europe-bound investment by Chinese enterprises and Europe-bound Chinese tourists will also grow dramatically. Indeed, China’s success story with reform and development and the deepening cooperation between China and CEE countries will deliver benefit not only to the Chinese people but also to the people of CEE countries and other European countries.
As a European proverb says, “One ounce of action is better than a ton of rhetoric.” In China, we have an old saying that goes, “It is better to get up and act than sit and talk.” To turn our blueprint into reality needs the concerted actions of both our governments and enterprises. I believe that as long as we act in the spirit of equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit and common development, and work together in the same direction, the win-win relationship between China and CEE countries will have a brighter prospect, our practical cooperation will prove more fruitful, and our common development will bring about a better future.
To conclude, let me wish the Third China-Central and Eastern European Countries Economic and Trade Forum a complete success.
Thank you. ”
China-Romania Friendship and Cooperation Move Forward Like a Ship Sailing Far in High Gear
Speech by H.E. Li Keqiang Premier of the State Council of People’s Republic of China At the Palace of the Romanian Parliament
2013/11/27
Bucharest, 27 November 2013
Your Excellency Crin Antonescu, President of the Senate,
Your Excellency Valeriu Zgonea, President of the Chamber of Deputies,
Your Excellency Prime Minister Victor Ponta,
Senators and Deputies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,
Romania is the first stop in my first visit to Central and Eastern European countries as Premier of the Chinese government. Ever since I set foot on this beautiful land, I have been overwhelmed by the friendship of the Romanian people towards the Chinese people. Today, it is my pleasure to address, upon invitation, the Romanian Parliament at the Palace, the largest parliament building in the world. Standing here, I cannot but be awed by its magnificence and grandeur. Many of you present here have been long committed to the China-Romania friendship. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I would like to express our sincere thanks to you and extend cordial greetings and best wishes to the great people of Romania.
Over 20 years ago, I visited Romania as head of a Chinese youth delegation. Today when I am revisiting this country, I have seen tremendous changes and an amazing new look. In recent years, in particular, Romania has properly managed the impact of the international financial crisis and the European debt issue, achieved a steady economic growth, maintained social and political stability and ensured people’s well-being. Romania has become an important emerging market in Europe and has been reputed as “a tiger of Europe” with growing regional and international influence. We sincerely rejoice over your achievements and we believe that the Romanian people will surely create an even brighter future.
Romania boasts a time-honored history and numerous cultural heritage and ancient relics. China-Romania relations have a long tradition. In the 17th century, Nicolae Milescu-Spataru, a Romanian traveler, wrote a best known book Travel in China based on his own experience and he was one of the earlier European messengers who introduced China to the West. In the 1930s and 1940s, David Iancu and Bucur Clejan, a doctor couple from Romania, went all the way to China and joined the Chinese people in the anti-Fascist war, saving lives and risking their own. Their heroic stories have been widely told. In 1949, Romania was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China and the China-Romania friendship has since taken a deep root in the hearts of our two peoples. Since the beginning of the 21st century, our bilateral relations have developed into a new stage with increased political mutual trust, expanded business cooperation and enhanced cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Like a giant ship, China-Romania relationship has braved the waves, withstood the test over the years and has now sailed to the future with great confidence. If the ship is to sail safely to the shore, the ship must have a good “rudder”, “filled sails” and solid “anchors”.
―Coordinated development strategies may serve as the steering “rudder”. Our two countries have always respected each other, treated each other as equals, firmly supported each other’s core interests and fully respected each other’s choice of development path. China is the largest developing country in the world and Romania the second largest among Central and Eastern European countries in terms of population and area. Romania is looking east for cooperation while China is expanding its westward opening-up. When our two countries are moving towards each other, there would be more common interests between us.
―In-depth practical cooperation may serve as energizing sails. There is vast potential for cooperation between China and Romania, both being promising emerging economies. Romania enjoys rich resources, high-caliber labor and solid industrial and agricultural foundation, while China has a large market, fairly advanced equipment manufacturing industry, big building capacities for infrastructure and generally adequate funding. If our two economies complement and reinforce each other, both will benefit from it. China has become Romania’s largest trading partner in Asia while Romania an important pivot in China’s cooperation with Central and Eastern European countries and the whole Europe. Given the huge potential for cooperation between China and Romania, China will continue to deepen practical cooperation with Romania and ensure that our two peoples benefit from the cooperation outcomes.
―Solid traditional friendship may serve as anchors for stable relations. Over the past 60 years and more since the establishment of diplomatic ties, our two countries have always lived in amity with each other and shared weal and woe. In the 1950s, the selfless assistance that Romania and other Central and Eastern European countries offered China contributed significantly to the early industrialization in the New China. When Romania was hit by the catastrophic floods in 1970, the Chinese people, in spite of their own difficulties, donated funds for the disaster relief and reconstruction efforts of Romania. Our two countries have actively engaged in many cultural exchanges. Many Chinese people today still love to talk about Romanian films such as the Danube Waves with great relish. Likewise, Chinese TV series, including the Three Kingdoms, are also very popular among Romanian people. As a Romanian proverb goes, “River stones remain, while water flows away.” The China-Romania friendship has withstood the test of the times and taken on a new look with greater vigor and vitality. The friendship between the two peoples has lasted beyond time and space and has laid a solid foundation for the sustained development of China-Romania relations.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, the international landscape is undergoing profound and complex changes, with in-depth development of multi-polarity, accelerated economic globalization and greater integration of state interests. While developed economies have begun to see some positive signs of recovery, several emerging economies are once again faced with considerable downside risks. It remains the top priority of all countries to handle the crisis, achieve recovery and maintain and improve people’s well-being. Closer China-Romania cooperation will help boost the economic development of Central and Eastern Europe, and, to a larger extent, that of China and Europe as a whole. China stands ready to join hands with Romania in moving forward steadily and pursuing common development. To this end, I wish to propose the following:
First, we should enhance political trust. China and Romania, both with a strategic vision, both have given priority to their cooperation in their diplomacy. We need, more than ever, to base ourselves on the long-term interests, respect each other, accommodate each other’s major concerns and expand common interests. We should further increase exchanges at all levels, including between our legislative bodies and legislators, which are all the foundation of our cooperation and development. The Joint Statement released this time is yet another important document in China-Romania relations. It lays out a comprehensive plan for growing our relations in the new circumstances, and, as such, must be implemented at a faster pace. Next year marks the 65th anniversary of China-Romania diplomatic relations. This is an opportunity we must seize to open a new page in our relations.
Second, we should tap potential for practical cooperation. We are both eager and keen on cooperation. We should seize the opportunity, expand two-way trade and upgrade industrial cooperation. In the spirit of equality and mutual benefit, China is ready to develop its trade with Romania and import more quality Romanian products in a bid to narrow the trade imbalance. The two protocols signed this time between the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the PRC and the Romanian quality inspection and quarantine agency will provide guarantee for Romania to export its farm produce and and livestock to China. Next year, China will import about 5,000 cattle from Romania and will gradually increase its import of cattle in the coming 10 years. Our two countries may enhance exchanges and cooperation in the farming, energy, telecommunication networks, solar products, aviation, finance and other fields, and jointly build a China-Romania economic and technology park. The Romanian government has introduced a new visa procedure to facilitate the travel by Chinese entrepreneurs to Romania this year and the competent departments of our two countries have signed the memorandum of understanding on promoting mutual investment, which will create favorable conditions for expanding two-way investment.
Third, we should create new highlights in big cooperation projects, which may give a strong boost to and produce a demonstration effect on the practical cooperation between the two countries. Many of the infrastructures in Romania are in need of renovation and upgrading. China has strong and competitive infrastructure enterprises, with rich experience and advanced technologies and equipment. And the “China-made” infrastructure products are very popular across the world. China has made efforts and developed the capacity to manufacture advanced and sophisticated equipment in some fields. The popularity of China-made equipment in the international market, China’s readiness for cooperation with Romania and other countries and its capability to produce infrastructure that Romania needs have made it possible for China and Romania to have mutually beneficial cooperation in this field. This time, our two sides have agreed to establish project working groups on nuclear power and high-speed rail, and the working groups have already kicked off. The Chinese government supports Chinese enterprises in carrying out infrastructure cooperation with Romania, encourages its financial institutions to provide financing for such cooperation projects, and is ready to work with Romania for substantive progress in getting big projects off the ground as soon as possible.
Fourth, we should build the bridge of communication between our cultures and peoples. In spite of the distance between them, our two peoples have never stopped visiting each other and have in the process enhanced their mutual understanding and amity. Cultural exchanges help build the bridge to each other’s heart, and people-to-people contacts help open a path to friendship. We will expand and consolidate the exchanges and cooperation between our two countries in the cultural, educational and other fields so that our peoples will embrace the idea that different civilizations may draw upon each other. China will continue to stage brand-name events as “Chinese Culture Festival” and “Happy Chinese New Year” and make them a success. In the meantime, China welcomes the National Radio Orchestra of Romania to China again for a performing tour. We will increase our input into the Confucius institutes in Romania to meet the needs of the Romanian people for learning Chinese. We both should actively implement the agreement to set up cultural centers in each other’s countries and the cultural cooperation programs. China will offer government-sponsored scholarships to more Romanian students for their studies in China. We hope that Romanian students will take advantage of the “5,000 scholarships program” within the cooperation framework between China and Central and Eastern European countries. This will ensure that China-Romania friendship will be passed on from generation to generation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Like some other emerging economies, the Chinese economy has been under considerable downward pressure this year. In face of this, we have maintained policy stability and kept a cool head. Instead of increasing deficit or money supply, we have tried to unleash the market vitality, mobilize private investment and stimulate consumption by streamlining administration and delegating power. As a result, China’s economy has made steady progress since the third quarter of this year and is continuing its upward growth. China has reasons to believe that it will attain the main expected goals of its economy, including the 7.5% annual growth rate. The recently convened Third Plenum of the 18th CPC Central Committee has decided on major programmes for deepening reforms in all areas. We will comprehensively deepen reforms, continue to open wider to the outside world, and give the market a decisive role in the allocation of resources and the government a better leveraging role so that the Chinese economy may sustain a healthy growth. This will also bring new opportunities to China-Romania cooperation and China-CEEC cooperation.
The China-EU Summit held last week in Beijing adopted the China-EU 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation, ushering the all-round China-EU cooperation onto a new journey. Yesterday, Prime Minister Ponta and I attended the Meeting of Heads of Government of China and Central and Eastern European Countries. And the Meeting issued the Bucharest Action Guideline on China-CEEC Cooperation. I believe that China-Romania cooperation may become a banner for China-CEEC cooperation and that China-CEEC cooperation will surely add new impetus to China-Europe relations.
All of you present here are eminent people of vision in Romania and indeed in Central and Eastern European countries as well. It is our shared historic mission to grow China-Romania relations. To sail far, a big vessel and the right wind are indispensable. If we stand high and look far, make serious efforts and ride the wind of the growing China-Europe relations and China-CEEC relations, the ship of China-Romania cooperation will be able to break waves and sail far.
Thank you. ”
China, Romania sign deals.
Li Keqiang met with his Romanian counterpart Victor Ponta in a historical visit to the Eastern European country as Chinese Premier.
source: gbtimes Beijing – gbtimes Beijing 2013/11/26
Romania is to build a high-speed railway with Chinese technology, the two countries announced in Bucharest on Monday as Premier Li Keqiang pays an official visit to Romania.
Working groups discussed details of the pact later in the day along with other agreements on infrastructure construction. “The value of the finalized deals will surely surprise us all,” Li said.
Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta said that if his country’s high-speed rail project goes ahead successfully, it will serve as a showcase for other Central and Eastern European nations and hopefully lead to more deals.
Both Li and Ponta witnessed the signing of a series of memorandums of understanding. Under the MOU, the two nations will collaborate on nuclear reactors and power plant projects and facilitate transports of pork and beef from Romania to China.
During his four-day trip, the Chinese Premier will also meet with leaders from Central and Eastern European nations at a trade and economic forum.
Chinese PM starts official visit to Romania
Source: | nineoclock | November 24th, 2013 at 9:00 PM
Prime Ministers and representatives of 16 Central and East-European countries take part in the China –CEE Summit in Bucharest.
During 25th -28th of November, Premier Li Keqiang is paying an official visit to Romania and attend the second edition of the China-Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) Summit at the level of Prime-Ministers, as a guest of the Romanian PM Victor Ponta. The visit of Li Keqiang to Romania has a twofold symbolic value. From a bilateral perspective, it is the first visit to Romania of a Chinese Premier after more than 19 years. Several significant documents for the bilateral cooperation will be signed in the presence of the two premiers, in the fields of agriculture, investments, energy, culture and education (for the last field, the Cultural Programme for 2013-2016 and the establishment of the Romanian Cultural Institute in Beijing and the Chinese Cultural Centre in Bucharest). On the 22nd of November, the fourth Confucius Institute in Romania, affiliated to the University of Bucharest was inaugurated. From a multilateral perspective, the Chinese Premier’s visit to Bucharest is a good opportunity to have the first contacts with the other Central and Eastern European leaders on the sidelines of the Summit since he took office in March 2013.
During the China-CEE Summit, the Prime Ministers and representatives of the sixteen European participant countries will exchange views on upgrading cooperation with China in various fields such as investments, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, tourism, higher education and people-to-people exchanges, with a view to producing concrete achievements.
In a wider perspective, the China-CEE platform of cooperation complements EU efforts and contributes to the deepening of the EU comprehensive Strategic Partnership with China, which marks its 10th anniversary this year, on the basis of mutual respect, mutual trust and win-win cooperation.
The meeting of Prime Ministers will be followed by another major event, the China-Central and Eastern European Countries Economic & Trade Forum. Around 1,000 business people confirmed their participation, 300 from China, 400 from Romania and 300 from the other countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The significant areas for developing the economic cooperation are agriculture, infrastructure, transports, IT, tourism and energy.