site.btaSenior Chinese Legislator Says His Country Supports European Integration

ESD 18:53:01 20-10-2018
VE1852ES.109
109 POLITICS - 16+1 MEETING - CHINA - STATEMENT

Senior Chinese Legislator Says
at 16+1 Meeting that His Country
Supports European Integration


Sofia, October 20 (BTA) - A senior Chinese legislator said his country is supportive of European integration. "We believe that a prosperous European Union is a very important component of global cooperation," said Cao Jianming, Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, addressing the Fourth 16+1 Local Leaders' Meeting of the Central and East European Countries and China, held in Sofia on Saturday.

Cao said China is trying to help the countries of Central and Eastern Europe to develop their local industries and fit better into the EU because this will enable them to bridge the development gap that separates them from the other member states.

According to him, "we should strengthen local-level cooperation and support people-to-people ties." Cao pointed to the need to boost exchange in tourism, culture, youth affairs and sports.

He read out a greetings message from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who pointed out that the 16+1 mechanism for cooperation is a cross-border platform for exchange between countries seeking shared development. LN/VE
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