BEIJING: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's upcoming visit to Russia is of great importance to China's cooperation with Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) countries including Pakistan, officials said here Thursday. Premier Li will attend the sixth meeting of heads of government of China and CEE countries during his official visit to Hungary from Nov. 26-29, and attend the 16th meeting of the Council of SCO Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) in the Russian city of Sochi from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1. "The premier's trip to Hungary is an important visit to Europe by Chinese leaders after the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC)," said Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao at a press briefing. The China-CEE meeting in Hungary coincides with the fifth anniversary of the establishment of China's cooperation with CEE countries and will be of great significance for expanding 16+1 cooperation and advancing the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, said Wang. During his stay in Hungary, Li will attend the 16+1 leaders' roundtable and the opening ceremony of the 7th China-CEE countries economic and trade forum, witness the signing of 16+1 cooperation agreements and have meetings with other leaders, according to Wang. The leaders will mainly discuss issues including connectivity, trade and investment, finance, green economy and innovation, the vice foreign minister added. Bilateral trade between China and CEE countries rose to 58.7 billion US dollars last year, up 11 percent from 2011. As for the SCO heads of government meeting, it is the first of its kind since the SCO membership expansion in June in Astana, Kazakhstan. The Chinese premier will expound the principles and policies of the major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era, and its significance to the ties between China and the SCO countries, said Assistant Foreign Minister Li Huilai.
