Premier: China supports stronger Sino-Croatian cooperation

China supports Croatia's preparation for the leaders' meeting between the Asian nation and Central and Eastern European countries, Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday.

Li made the pledge when meeting with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic in Beijing, who came to attend the China International Import Expo in Shanghai next week.

Li said bilateral ties are on the rise with stronger political trust, expanded trade volume and frequent people-to-people exchanges. China is willing to enhance alignment of development strategies and expand pragmatic cooperation in all fields. He said China supports companies from both countries to have stronger cooperation in ports, railway infrastructure and ship-building, while increasing exchanges in tourism and sports.

China-CEEC cooperation is a vital part and helpful supplement of the ties between China and Europe, Li said. Croatia has actively supported and participated in the mechanism and will host the next leaders' meeting next year, he said. China is willing to help the European partner in preparatory work and promote China-CEEC cooperation to a new height, the premier added.

Plenkovic said Croatia firmly adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to further strengthen cooperation in trade, ship-building, tourism and culture. He said his country will maintain close exchanges with China and ensure a success for the leaders' meeting next year.