Premier says China willing to participate in Slovenia's port renovation

SUZHOU - Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday met with Slovenia Prime Minister Miro Cerar in Suzhou, East China, and told him China was interested in the Port of Koper renovation project.

"China and Slovenia enjoy promising prospects for practical cooperation. China is willing to participate in the renovation and upgrading of Port of Koper in Slovenia and railway projects," Li said.

Li called on both countries to cooperate in trade zones, logistics, equipment manufacturing and transportation infrastructure, based on the China-proposed initiative to promote cooperation among port areas in the Baltic Sea, the Adriatic Sea and the Black Sea.

China supports its businesses to participate in the privatization of some Slovenian state-owned enterprises, as well as new energy, high tech, forestry and tourism, Li said.

Cerar said Slovenia supports the Belt and Road Initiative and other connectivity project.

The Slovenian prime minister also expressed willingness to promote tourism with China, particularly as China will host the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Cerar is in China for the fourth summit of China and Central and Eastern European countries, an annual event established in Warsaw, Poland, in 2012, and subsequently staged in Bucharest and Belgrade.