On September 14, 2011, Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang attended the opening ceremony of China-Europe People-to-People Dialogue on Friendship and Cooperation and delivered a speech in which he pointed out that efforts be made to make full use of the unique advantages and role of people-to-people diplomacy, expand international exchanges and cooperation, consolidate the foundation of China-Europe all-round strategic partnership, deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation and achieve common development.
He said that China is far away from many European countries. But there is a long history of friendship between people of the two sides. The eastern and western civilizations together promoted the progress of mankind. At present, China and Europe maintain frequent high-level mutual visits, growing economic and trade cooperation, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts. As the world multi-polarization and economic globalization move forward, China and Europe have become more interdependent, share more interests and shoulder more common responsibilities. The two sides should increase consensus, step up cooperation and push the development of bilateral relations to a higher level and in a more balanced direction.
He pointed out that the world today is experiencing profound adjustments, world economic recovery faces increasing uncertain and unstable factors, the sovereign debt crisis is getting more serious and the international financial market is going through turbulences. We face greater pressure to maintain stable economic growth and have the arduous tasks of stabilizing prices, adjusting the structure and creating jobs. We must cope with such global challenges as food and energy resources security and major natural disasters. It is the task of all the countries to solve their practical problems in a complicated environment and seize the opportunities of future growth. China and Europe have close and highly complementary economic and trade relations. There is huge potential of combining Europe's advanced design, technologies and management with the growing Chinese market to nurture new growth point and boost innovation and growth. He hopes the two sides grasp the opportunities to deepen the win-win cooperation.
He stressed that China always views Europe's development and its cooperation with Europe from a strategic and long-term perspective. We expect to see a stable and prosperous Europe. We hold confidence in the European economy and Euro and support the economic and financial adjustment measures taken by some European countries in order to stabilize the market, achieve financial balance and advance structural reform. China will further expand trade and investment cooperation with Europe, continue to take Europe as one of its major investment markets and enhance coordination with European countries on the development of macroeconomic policies, the international financial system reform and the global economic governance. China will work with Europe to promote the strong, sustainable and balanced growth of world economy.
He indicated that cultural exchanges create a bridge for the dialogue of heart and help strengthen mutual understanding. The people-to-people friendly cooperation helps China and Europe strengthen mutual trust, learn from each other, respect and tolerate each other's development path and cultural tradition. We should attach equal importance to cultural exchanges and economic cooperation. He stressed that people-to-people friendship is the basis and premise of state-to-state relations and people-to-people diplomacy is a major component of the national diplomacy. The Chinese government will continue to support the progress of people-to-people friendship and diplomacy and hopes the civil society organizations and people from all sectors of China and Europe continue to take active actions to conduct diversified friendly exchanges, build the bridge of cooperation and friendship in Eurasia and make new contributions to the development of China-Europe friendship and cooperation in the 21st century.
Before the opening ceremony started, Li held briefing meetings with the former European Commission President Romano Prodi, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to China Markus Ederer and Head of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Cultural Cooperation of Russia Farit Mukhametshin. He expressed admiration for their long-term commitment to promoting the development of China-Europe relations and people-to-people friendship. He hopes them continue to make efforts to advance the bilateral exchanges and cooperation in economy, trade, culture and other fields.
Former vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (CPPCC) and honorary president of the China-EU Association He Luli also attended the opening ceremony. President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Chen Haosu chaired the opening.
China-Europe People-to-People Dialogue on Friendship and Cooperation is hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and co-organized by the Tianjin Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the China Center for International Economic Exchanges. With cooperation cross time and space as the theme, the Dialogue has two sessions on economic cooperation and cultural exchanges. More than 300 delegates, including the Director of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPPCC Zhao Qizheng, Chairperson of the CPPCC Tianjin branch Xing Yuanmin, ambassadors of some foreign countries to China, government officials of China and 16 European countries, heads of some foreign non-governmental friendship organizations and representatives from the business, cultural and academic communities attended the event.