Premier Li Keqiang met with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic in Beijing, who is in China for the China International Import Expo, on Nov 2.

Premier Li said that China-Croatia relations have maintained a sound momentum of development, with solid political mutual trust, expanding bilateral trade, and dynamic people-to-people exchanges.

China is ready to work with Croatia to further align the development strategies of the two countries, deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields, expand common interests and push for greater development in the comprehensive cooperative partnership, according to the Premier.

China supports enterprises from the two countries to make use of their respective advantages and step up cooperation in infrastructure construction, such as ports and railways, as well as shipbuilding, the Premier said, adding that more efforts will be made to facilitate cooperation in people-to-people exchanges, tourism and sports.

Noting that 16+1 (16 CEE countries and China) cooperation is an integral part of and useful supplement to China-EU relations, Premier Li said Croatia has been supporting and actively involved in the cooperation, and it will host the 8th Summit of Heads of Government of China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) next year. China is willing to cooperate with Croatia in making good preparations and elevate China-CEEC cooperation to a higher level.

For his part, Plenkovic hailed the healthy, stable development of Croatia-China relations, as well as pragmatic and efficient trade and investment cooperation.

Croatia firmly upholds the one-China policy and stands ready to further open up the Chinese market, the prime minister said, pledging to enhance bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, ships, tourism and culture.

As the host of the 8th Summit of Heads of Government of China and CEEC, Croatia will maintain close communication and cooperation with China to ensure the complete success of the summit, he added.