LUXEMBOURG CITY - State Councilor Yang Jiechi on April 15 met with Luxembourg leaders to discuss how to broaden cooperation between the two countries in new industries and traditional areas.

Yang held separate meetings with Luxembourg’s Grand Duke Henri, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, President of the Chamber of Deputies Mars di Bartolomeo and Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn.

During the meetings, Yang said Luxembourg is a key partner of China within the European Union and over the years the two countries have insisted on mutual respect, mutual trust and equality.

In recent years, economic and trade relations between China and Luxembourg have developed rapidly, and China will continue to tap trade potential, Yang said.

China is ready to strengthen high-level exchanges with Luxembourg, broaden and deepen cooperation in the fields of finance, air cargo, steel and others, and expand mutual investment to achieve win-win cooperation, Yang said.

China supports the two countries to strengthen people-to-people and tourism exchanges and cooperation, and hopes that both sides will maintain good communication and coordination on major international affairs, the state councilor said.

Henri said the relations between Luxembourg and China have a long history and have witnessed rapid progress in recent years.

“I visited China several times, and I was always impressed by the great progress of China. Luxembourg and China have conducted fruitful cooperation in the fields of finance, air cargo and other fields and we hope that bilateral pragmatic cooperation will make new progress,” he said.

Bettel said Luxembourg and China are true partners and that “Luxembourg is honored to become the first European country that has applied to join the Asian Investment Infrastructure Bank.”

“Luxembourg is ready to further strengthen cooperation with China in economy and trade, finance, transportation and other areas, and continue to deepen the friendly and cooperative relations with China based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit,” Bettel added.

Bartolomeo said the two countries have maintained many consensuses and common interests in different fields, and that China is a major participant and key partner who plays a significant role in the settlement of issues related to world peace, development and others.

Asselborn said Luxembourg supports the internationalization of the Chinese currency renminbi, welcomes more Chinese tourists and would like to facilitate Chinese enterprises’ investment.

Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel (R) meets with visiting State Councilor Yang Jiechi in Luxembourg, April 15, 2016.[Photo/Xinhu]