Premier Li's fast-paced diplomacy

Premier Li Keqiang checks the time on his way to a series of diplomatic meetings in Suzhou on Nov 24, 2015, just hours after he wrapped up a busy trip to Malaysia for the ASEAN annual meeting. Chinese media dubbed Li's diligent working style "Keqiang rhythm". WU ZHIYI/CHINA DAILY

A busy timetable saw Premier Li Keqiang reach Suzhou, Jiangsu province, at about 2:30 am on Tuesday for a series of meetings involving leaders from Central and Eastern Europe.

Li flew in after attending the East Asia Summit and related forums in Kuala Lumpur during the weekend and a state visit to Malaysia on Monday.

Arriving in Suzhou for the Fourth Leaders' Meeting of China and Central and Eastern European Countries, the premier worked through the night and held bilateral talks with leaders from Estonia, Poland and Slovenia on Tuesday morning.

Later, Premier Li addressed the opening ceremony of the fifth economic and trade forum between China andCEE countries and presided over the Fourth Leaders' Meeting of China and CEE Countries.

Premier Li's tight schedule in Suzhou continued his fast-paced diplomacy in the just concluded Malaysia trip for the ASEAN annual meeting. Chinese media dubbed Li's diligent working style "Keqiang rhythm".

On Nov 21, after meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at a hotel, Li went to the Kuala Lumpur Conference Center for the 18th China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting. He then got back to the hotel to have an annual meeting with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, followed by attending the 18th ASEAN Plus Three Meeting at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Two hours later than scheduled time, Li held bilateral meetings with his Lao counterpart Thongsing Thammavong and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key respectively without having a meal. Then the premier arrived at the KLCC for the third time to attend a banquet hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and ended his busy day at local time 11pm.

The next day started with a series of agreements and declarations signing at the 10th East Asia Summit by the busy premier. He didn't have lunch until 3pm, which had to be heated three times due to the premier's tight schedule, according to the hotel chef.