On October 24, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Slovenian President Danilo Turk, who is here for a state visit and to attend the seventh summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

The Chinese president spoke highly of the China-Slovenia relations, saying sound progress had been made since the two countries established diplomatic relations 16 years ago. The two countries have kept close high-level visits, increased dialogue and consultations at all levels and in various areas, and expanded economic and trade cooperation with fruitful cooperation in all areas. Both sides have also enhanced exchanges between localities as well as people-to-people contacts and maintained sound cooperation in international multilateral organizations. The Chinese government attaches great importance to ties with Slovenia and has always taken Slovenia as an important partner of China in Central and Eastern Europe. China is willing to work with the Slovenian side to push forward bilateral friendly cooperative relations based on the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, Hu said.

Hu raised a four-point proposal on pushing forward China-Slovenia friendly cooperation. First, strengthen mutual political trust. Hu suggested the two sides keep the momentum of high-profile exchange of visits, expand friendly exchanges between the governments, legislatures, political parties and people of the two countries, and enhance consultations and dialogues to increase mutual understanding and trust. He also urged both sides to support and cooperate with each other in issues of each other's core interest. Second, expand economic and trade cooperation. "The two sides should better outline, guide and coordinate bilateral trade and economic cooperation," Hu said, adding that investment environment should be improved to stimulate cooperation between enterprises and accelerate infrastructure construction, technological innovations, energy conservation, environmental protection and port transportation to cultivate new growth points of bilateral cooperation. Third, keep close humanities exchanges. Hu called for more personnel exchanges and information sharing in the fields of culture, education, sports, health, tourism and journalism between the two countries, saying that both sides should encourage friendly exchanges between the youth, non-governmental organizations and local governments of the two countries, as measures to consolidate the social basis of bilateral relations. Fourth, enhance multilateral cooperation. "The two countries should strengthen consultation and coordination on major regional and global issues within multi-lateral international and regional mechanisms such as the United Nations and the Asia-Europe Meeting, and work together to promote world peace, stability and prosperity," he said.

Turk agreed with Hu's comments and suggestions on the bilateral relations. He said Slovenia-China ties enjoy a time-honored history and the Slovenian people hold respect and friendly feelings towards the Chinese people. Currently bilateral political ties are developing very well with rapid growth of trade cooperation. Amid the global financial crisis, Slovenia hopes to discuss with China the ways and approaches to enhance bilateral trade and investment cooperation. The Slovenian president said his country was devoted to pushing the European Union to develop relations with China, and hoped that Slovenia and China would have more consultations and cooperation in international affairs including improving UN’s role.

While briefing on the situation in the West Balkan region, Turk said the general stability in the region remained fragile. He hoped China would continue playing a role in maintaining lasting peace and prosperity there. Hu said it was China's hope that countries in the West Balkan region would proceed from the long-term interest of state and national development to properly resolve their problems left over by history through dialogue and work together to build a West Balkan of lasting peace and shared prosperity. Hu promised China would continue promoting the peace process in West Balkan.

Prior to the talks, Hu Jintao held a grand welcoming ceremony for Turk’s visit at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress Zhou Tienong, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Qian Yunlu, Vice Chairpersons of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang (RCCK) He Pijie, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Chinese Ambassador to Slovenia Zhi Zhaolin attended the welcoming ceremony.