China expects Luxembourg to play active role in developing China-EU ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping(R) meets with Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel in Beijing, capital of China, June 14, 2017. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Wednesday that China expects Luxembourg will play an active role in developing relations between China and the European Union(EU).

Xi made the remarks during a meeting with visiting Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, saying that he hopes Luxembourg can push the EU to provide more favorable conditions for the development of China-EU cooperation.

Xi pointed out that China and Luxembourg have shared a long history of friendly exchanges, and the two countries have been committed to mutually beneficial cooperation since they established diplomatic ties 45 years ago.

He said China sees Luxembourg as an important cooperative partner within the EU, and stands ready to work with Luxembourg to build a long-term stable partnership and promote bilateral ties to a new high.

Xi stressed that both sides should insist on the principles of equality and mutual respect, and provide mutual understanding and support on issues of core interest and major concern.

The Chinese president called for an improvement of bilateral practical cooperation, saying that they should expand cooperation in traditional fields like finance.

Xi urged both countries to cultivate new growth points in the areas of air transportation, high and new technology, and green economy in order to achieve mutually beneficial cooperation at a higher level.

The two countries should deepen finance and capacity cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, he said, adding that China supports the construction of an "Air Silk Road" between China's Zhengzhou and Luxembourg.

For his part, Bettel said his visit to China aims to promote the in-depth development of bilateral cooperation.

He said the two countries' economies are highly complementary, and Luxembourg stands ready to expand bilateral cooperation on finance, investment, science and technology, tourism and people-to-people exchanges, as well as deepen cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative on the basis of mutual respect and trust.

Luxembourg stands for deepened and constructive dialogues between the EU and China, and is willing to play an active role in this aspect, Bettel said.

Chinese top legislator Zhang Dejiangalso met with Bettel Wednesday, calling for more parliamentary exchanges between the two sides.