李克强罗马尼亚总理在 19 年中第一次访问（在线收听）

By CCTV reporter Zhang Nini

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has embarked on an official trip to Romania to attend an official summit. He will attend a China-Central and Eastern Europe leaders' meeting there as guest of his Romanian counterpart Victor-Viorel Ponta.

Following the visit, he will head to Uzbekistan to attend the 12th Prime Ministers’ meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states. Premier Li Keqiang’s trip to Romania will be his first visit to Eastern Europe since he took office in March earlier this year, and also marks the first visit of by Chinese Premier to Romania in 19 years.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) is greeted by Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta upon his arrival in Bucharest, Romania, Nov. 25, 2013. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Setting the agenda for the future.

Premier Li Keqiang heads to Romania to shore up economic and trade cooperation.

Ministry of Commerce figures show that bilateral trade volume in the first ten months of this year reached 3.27 billion US dollars, up from last year.

China’s current total investment in Romania exceeds 160 million US dollars, while Romania’s investment in China stands at 280 million.

Analysts believe this visit will expand the scale of trade... bilateral, and also that with central and eastern European countries.

"On the economic and trade front, Romania is not just Romania itself. It can be a center to central and eastern european countries. If we invest more in this country, it will spillover to other countries in this region." Feng Zhongping, vice president of China institute of Contemporary International Relations, said.

Both sides are talking about specific Chinese investment in energy, infrstructure, agriculture and tourism.

Feng believes China’s cooperation with Romania and countries in the region, will be complementary to China’s ties with the EU.

During his stay in Romania, Premier Li Keqiang will also attend a China-Central and Eastern Europe meeting, which gathers leaders from 16 countries.

China is Romania’s first partner in Asia, and next year will mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"Regarding to international cooperation. Romania is a very active country. it can manage to have good relations with US, European countries, and emerging powers like China. It’s a very special country which can play an important role on world stage." Feng said.

Reporter: "China and Romania are ready to tap potential for strengthened economic cooperation. Premier Li’s visit is likely to give more substance to the bilateral ties, as both sides are in the process of elevating it to the next level."

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) and Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta inspect the Romanian guard of honor during a welcoming ceremony upon Li's arrival in Bucharest, Romania, Nov. 25, 2013. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)