Pragmatism, trust advance Sino-European co-op
BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has ended his visits to Britain and Greece, but wide-ranging cooperation with the two nations and Europe as a whole are set to flourish.
A package of agreements was signed including deals worth more than 30 billion US dollars with the United Kingdom in finance, energy, railways, education, science and technology, as well as important contracts with Greece on shipping and seaports.
The cooperation as a whole is an apt choice for common benefits. It will see Britain improve its competence in Europe by drawing on China's growth, and Greece will also embrace new dynamism in its maritime economy.
Meanwhile, China will eye improving its financial and maritime status by working with its partners who have more expertise in these regards.
However, these agreements should not be viewed as merely cold business transactions, nor should it be felt that Europe, in doing business with China, might need to make compromises in other areas.
Rather, these agreements should be translated as persistent momentum in the China-Europe cooperative spirit, as a more open China will win itself more support, trust, and willingness for cooperation from Europe. Pragmatism and trust are what carry forward joint work.
Stereotypes and even bias against China have their basis in history, but should not prevail against the broad prospect of common prosperity. China is making efforts to show its real identity globally and correct the mistaken prejudices of the past.
The premier said that a peaceful China will befriend neighbors and work with all nations for enduring world peace. China will integrate itself into a world with inclusive development as a common aspiration.
Li's visits followed President Xi Jinping's appointments in Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands in March and early April, and European leaders' trips to China, including British Prime Minister David Cameron and Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.
Behind these visits is a shared vision that cooperation between China and Europe will boost world peace, development and balance power.