Li's visit to lift China's ties with Romania, CEE countries

BUCHAREST - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Romania will lift bilateral ties, as well as relations between China and other CEE countries.

Li left Beijing Monday morning, and will take part in the China-Central and Eastern European (CEE) leaders' meeting this week.

Romania was among the first few nations to set up diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China. In 1971, Bucharest was also one of the UN members that supported Beijing's seat in the world body.

For more than six decades, the peoples of the two countries have maintained their partnership, and offered steadfast support to each other at crucial moments.

China and Romania have always adhered to the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and noninterference in domestic affairs, and taken care of their respective core interests and concerns.

The two countries now enjoy wide-ranging cooperation. Two-way trade reached $3.27 billion during the first 10 months this year, in comparison with less than $300 million for the annual total of 2000. China's current total investment in Romania tops 160 million dollars.

Both Beijing and Bucharest are at a crucial point in the development of their economies.

The Third Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee earlier this month revealed a comprehensive reform plan that covers almost every aspect of the Chinese society.

The meeting sent a clear message: China will continue to attract foreign investment, while Chinese enterprises will also work to expand their overseas business.

Li's visit is the first foreign trip by a Chinese leader after the major CPC meeting. It is expected that the premier will elaborate on China's resolution to further its reforms, and assure the CEE countries that China will continue to promote their economic cooperation.

While commenting on the upcoming China-CEE leaders' meeting, Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta told a press conference last week that he believes it is an extraordinary opportunity for Romania to develop its relations with China.

Like China, most CEE countries are working to forge a market-oriented economy, which would bring great opportunities in infrastructure cooperation with China.

The economies of China and Romania are highly complementary. China is experienced in areas including infrastructure construction, energy and manufacturing, while Romania, dubbed "Europe's barn," has an edge in agriculture.

It is hoped that Li's visit could serve as a catalyst for the two countries to make full use of their respective advantages to deepen the win-win cooperation and refresh their traditional bond.