Li heads to Romania, Uzbekistan

Premier Li Keqiang will visit Romania and Uzbekistan from Nov 25 to 29, a Foreign Ministry spokesman announced on Monday.

Li will pay an official visit to Romania to attend a meeting of leaders from Central and Eastern Europe. He will be a guest of Romanian Prime Minister Victor-Viorel Ponta, ministry spokesman Qin Gang said at a regular media briefing.

During the meeting, with 16 European nations represented, Li will formally detail China's proposals for cooperation. He will meet informally on the sidelines with various national leaders, Qin said.

Li will also attend the 12th prime ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Uzbekistan at the invitation of Uzbek Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyaev, Qin said.

There, Li's mission will be similar in nature, as he encourages healthy, stable ties with China.

Li will present China's thoughts on how to deepen cooperation within the SCO framework. He will also exchange views on how to build the organization and promote regional peace and development, Qin said.

Chen Yurong, a senior researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, said she expects concrete results to be achieved during Li's five-day trip, and that good relations will be enhanced.

"As the very first foreign trip made by a Chinese leader after the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, the visit to Romania illustrates the importance China has attached to its relationship with Central and Eastern Europe," she said.

"Besides, there are many potential business opportunities since the economies are mutually complementary with China's."

As for the SCO meeting in Uzbekistan, Sun Zhuangzhi, a Central Asian Studies expert with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the major goal is to follow up on commitments made at the SCO Summit in September.

"Member states will also make specific suggestions on economic and cultural cooperation, paving the way for future exchanges," he said.