LJUBLJANA, Nov. 21  -- China is willing to make concerted efforts with Slovenia to keep furthering bilateral relations and pragmatic cooperation to better benefit the two countries and peoples, visiting Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang has said.

During a meeting with Slovenian President Borut Pahor on Thursday, Wang said China and Slovenia have witnessed smooth development of bilateral relations since they established diplomatic ties 22 years ago.

The two countries politically understand and support each other, complement each other in economy, and culturally attracts each other, becoming trustworthy friends and partners to each other, he added.

He expected the two countries to maintain high-level exchange and strengthen mutual political trust.

China and Slovenia need to broaden trade and investment, promote balanced development of bilateral trade, and encourage their enterprises to make two-way investment, Wang said.

The vice premier said the two countries also need to explore new areas of cooperation and enhance cooperation in such fields as tourism and forestry, improve cooperation mechanisms to promote bilateral trade and investment cooperation toward achievement of more substantial results, and strengthen humanistic exchange and consolidate public support for bilateral ties.

For his part, Pahor said Slovenia will always be a good friend to China, noting that to develop relations with China is a priority in his country's foreign policy.

Political relations between Slovenia and China enjoy a solid foundation and the two countries are facing a huge opportunity for deepening pragmatic cooperation, he said.

The president added that his country will devote itself to strengthening friendly relations, deepening and expanding trade and economic cooperation, and enhancing humanistic exchange with China.

Slovenia welcomes more investment from Chinese enterprises, Pahor said.