BEIJING — Vice-Premier Han Zheng met with World Bank Chief Executive Officer Kristalina Georgieva on March 26, calling for closer cooperation between the two sides.

Han spoke highly of World Bank support for China in poverty reduction, environmental protection and innovation.

He called on both sides to cooperate more on rural revitalization, ecological advancement and the Belt and Road Initiative.

China attaches great importance to improving its business environment and is doing the best in this area, said Han.

Georgieva, who is in Beijing to attend China Development Forum 2018, praised China’s achievements since reform and opening-up began four decades ago.

She expressed appreciation for China’s contribution to the World Bank and the global poverty reduction, voicing willingness for cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiative and business environment improvement.