China to promote investment agreement negotiation with EU

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with visiting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in Beijing on Nov 15, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - China is willing to push forward the negotiation with the European Union on an investment agreement, said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang here on Friday.

With the approaching of the 16th China-EU Summit, China is willing to map out the future development of China-EU relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, promote the negotiation and enhance bilateral cooperation, said Li in a talks with visiting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Li noted the world economy is still facing many uncertainties in its recovery. China and EU should strengthen coordination in macro-economic policy, and jointly oppose trade protectionism and promote free trade and investment facilitation.

He also called on the Netherlands to play a positive role in promoting the negotiation as EU member.

Rutte echoed Li's remarks, saying the Netherlands will continue to make efforts to oppose trade protectionism. He said it is beneficial for both sides' economic growth to speed up the negotiation on investment agreement and to establish an EU-China free trade area.

The prime minister also wishes the upcoming summit between China and EU could achieve positive results.

With regard to the China-Netherlands ties, Li said China will strengthen high-level exchanges with the Netherlands, increase cultural exchanges, and expand cooperation in all areas.

He said the two countries should utilizes the advantages of the Eurasian Continental Bridge to strengthen cooperation and jointly expand the markets of Europe and Asia.

He called on the two countries to further enhance cooperation in areas including oil and gas exploitation, agriculture, water conservancy, energy conservation, environmental protection, new materials, new energy, and food security. He said the two countries should enhance financial cooperation, including increasing cooperation in small business finance and green credit.

Li also hoped the Netherlands can increase high and new technology exports to China and provide more convenience for Chinese companies and for bilateral people-to-people exchanges.

Rutte said China's reform and opening-up will bring new opportunities for Netherlands-China cooperation and EU-China cooperation. The Netherlands will further increase investment in China, strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas including trade, agriculture, energy conservation, environmental protection, finance and high technology.

The two sides also exchanged views on global and regional issues of common concern.