Chinese premier confident in meeting 2015 growth target

BEIJING, Dec. 11 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang voiced his confidence in meeting annual economic targets on Friday as he met with Italian Senate President Pietro Grasso.

"The Chinese economy has performed steadily within a reasonable range," Li said during the meeting, adding that China is on track to attain around 7-percent growth for the whole year.

"I believe this will provide new opportunities for China to deepen and expand cooperation with Europe and all other parts of the world," he told the visiting Italian.

Grasso arrived in China on Sunday for a one-week visit.

As to the bilateral relationship, Li hailed the friendship between the two nations and recalled his official visit to Italy as well as Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's visit to China last year.

Li said China stands ready to work with Italy to enhance political trust, deepen cooperation, increase coordination in international and regional affairs, and hold more inter-parliamentary exchanges.

Grasso stressed China's role in international affairs.

Expressing his confidence in China's economy, he said Italy is wiling to participate the process of China's development in an in-depth way.

During his stay in Beijing, Grasso held talks with Zhang and met with China's top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng, respectively at the Great Hall of the People on Monday.

On Wednesday, Grasso attended a reception to celebrate the 45th anniversary of China-Italy diplomatic relations.