Chinese vice premier meets Luxembourg deputy PM

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang met in Beijing Friday with Luxembourg Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, calling for joint Sino-EU efforts to combat trade protectionism.

Asselborn is paying an official visit to China as guest of Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. Luxembourg is one of the 27-member European Union bloc.

"China is willing to work closely with the European side...to deepen pragmatic cooperation and jointly combat trade and investment protectionism," said Li.

"This not only complies with the common aspiration and fundamental interests of both sides, but also is conducive to world peace, stability and prosperity," said Li.

Li hoped Luxembourg, as a founder EU member, could play its role in promoting China-EU comprehensive and strategic partnership.

China attaches great importance to relations with the EU, supports the process of the EU integration and would like to see the EU play more active and constructive role in international affairs, said Li.

Li also hailed China-Luxembourg ties, saying the two countries have set a model for friendly cooperation between two countries with different social systems, cultural tradition and development levels.

Also on Friday, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with Asselborn.

Yang said China will cement cooperation with Luxembourg on areas like finance, steel, environmental protection and clean energy. Yang also expressed appreciation for Luxembourg to support the Shanghai Expo.

Asselborn said Luxembourg attaches great importance to bilateral relations and would like to work with the Chinese side to beef up exchanges and cooperation in various areas and continuously push forward relations between China, Luxembourg and the EU.

Source:Xinhua