Chinese president calls for closer cooperation with Romania

China stands ready to further promote all-round practical cooperation with Romania, Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Saturday when meeting with his Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis.

Stressing the need to pursue substantial results, Xi said China is willing to work with Romania to boost cooperation in energy and infrastructure development within the framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative and push for progress on key projects.

The Belt and Road Initiative, which was announced by Xi in 2013, is aimed at promoting connectivity, cooperation and common prosperity along the ancient land and maritime trade routes.

Xi pointed out that China and Romania have a time-honored friendship and bilateral cooperation enjoys broad prospects, and called upon the two sides to strengthen coordination on the direction and key aspects of the development of bilateral ties.

It is also necessary for the two countries to deepen people-to-people exchanges and expand cooperation in tourism, culture, art, publication and other areas, so as to consolidate public support for bilateral relations, he added.

Recalling that Romania is one of the earliest countries to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic and has always firmly supported China on issues involving its core interests and major concerns, Xi said the Chinese people cherish the friendship with the Romanian people.

The Chinese president, who visited the European Union (EU) headquarters in Brussels last year and reached consensus with EU leaders on building four partnerships for peace, growth, reform and civilization, described Romania as a good friend and good partner in the bloc.

"I hope that Romania will actively support the building of the four China-EU partnerships and continue to play an active role in the mutually beneficial cooperation within the China-EU framework," he added.

For his part, Iohannis said his country is a staunch supporter of the four EU-China partnerships, which serve the interests of both sides.

Pointing at the lasting friendship and broad common interests between the two countries, Iohannis said his country is devoted to deepening bilateral ties under new circumstances.

Upon the 70th anniversary of the UN's founding, Xi is in New York for his first appearance at the UN headquarters after concluding his first state visit to the United States.

Source: XINHUA