Premier Li Keqiang, along with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, sent congratulatory messages, respectively, to the opening ceremony of the 2018 China-European Union Tourism Year, which was held Jan 19 in Venice, Italy.

Located at both ends of the ancient Silk Road, China and Europe have a long history of carrying out dialogue of civilizations, said Premier Li.

He added that China and Europe are now striving to build a partnership with regard to peace, growth, reform and civilization, fully implement strategic planning for China-EU cooperation for 2020, and jointly promote the combination of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the EU’s development strategy. Thus, the two sides face new opportunities.

Tourism serves as both an important bridge for promoting cultural exchanges and friendships between people, as well as an emerging industry driving the economy forward, the Premier said.

China and the EU are rich in tourism resources and share broad prospects for cooperation, he said.

Therefore, by taking the China-EU Tourism Year as an opportunity, he added he hopes the two sides will expand tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, promote civilization dialogues, and push forward development for win-win results, injecting new impetus into the development of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.