On the afternoon of Nov. 27, 2013 (local time), Chinese Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council delivered a speech with the title of "Letting the Ship of China-Romania Friendship Brave the Wind and Waves and Set Sail on the Sea" at the Romanian Parliament in Bucharest on invitation. There were over 600 delegates attending the event including President of the Romanian Senate Crin Antonescu, President of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies Valeriu Zgonea, Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta, all the members of parliament, cabinet ministers, governors, mayors, and foreign diplomats stationed in Romania.

Li Keqiang, accompanied by Crin Antonescu and Valeriu Zgonea, received a standing ovation as they went onto the podium reserved for parliamentary leaders. Crin Antonescu delivered a warm welcome address and invited Li Keqiang to deliver a speech.

Premier Li went onto the stand and started his speech. He said that Romania is the first among the Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries he visited since he took office. He was immersed in the friendly feelings the Romanian people hold towards the Chinese people when he set foot on the soil of the beautiful land of Romania. The friendship between China and Romania has a long history and is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Since the advent of the 21st century, China-Romania relations entered a new stage, with mutual political trust being increasingly enhanced, economic and trade cooperation being constantly expanded and people-to-people exchange getting more and more colorful and diversified. China-Romania relationship is like a big ship driving from the past, has withstood the tests of storms, and is driving confidently towards the future. To move steadily and far, the big ship needs to have an accurate rudder - befitting development strategies; a swelling canvas - deep pragmatic cooperation; and a solid anchor - firm traditional friendship. China and Romania are friends sharing weal and woe. The two countries are both emerging markets enjoying broad common interests and lasing traditional friendship. Romania is an important pivot point for the cooperation between China and CEE countries and between China and Europe. The two countries enjoy a vast prospect for cooperation.

Li Keqiang said that in the context of profound and complex changes in the international situation, dealing with the crisis, achieving recovery, ensuring and improving people's livelihood remain the paramount tasks of countries. Expanding China-Romania cooperation will boost the economic development of CEE region and even the economic development of China and Europe. China is willing to join hands with Romania to move forward in a steadfast manner and grow the comprehensive partnership of friendly cooperation. To this end, Premier Li put forward the following suggestions:

First, to enhance mutual political trust between the two countries. The two sides should proceed from a long-term perspective and respect each other. The two sides should take care of each other's major concerns and expand areas of converging interests. To take advantage of the 65th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties next year as an opportunity to create a new vista for bilateral relations.

Second, to tap potentials of pragmatic cooperation. To take advantage of the great enthusiasm of the two countries for further cooperation, expand the scale of bilateral trade, lift the level of industry cooperation and promote the balanced development of trade. To strengthen cooperation in such areas as farming, energy, telecommunication networks, photovoltaic power, aerospace, and finance, and jointly build an economic and technological park to create favorable conditions for bilateral investment.

Third, to develop big cooperation projects. China has grasped advanced equipment and manufacturing capacities in some sectors. Cooperation between China and Romania in those areas could bring about mutual benefit and win-win results. China is willing to work together with Romania to strengthen cooperation in nuclear energy and high-speed railway, supports Chinese companies to carry out infrastructure development cooperation with the Romanian side and encourages Chinese financial institutions to provide financing for such cooperation projects. China is willing to push the big projects to achieve substantial progress at an early possible date.

Fourth, to build bridges for people-to-people and non-governmental exchange. To keep running cultural brand event, cement and expand current cultural, educational and people-to-people exchange, so as to let the seeds of mutual learning between civilizations take roots and spread and let China-Romania friendship be passed onto future generations.

Li Keqiang pointed out that the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee has made overall arrangements for deepening the reform in an all-round manner. China will continue to deepen the reform in an all-round manner and continue to expand opening. China will enable the market to play a decisive role in resources allocation and enable the government to play a better role for the sustainable and healthy development of the Chinese economy.

Li Keqiang said that China-EU Leaders Meeting adopted China-EU 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation last week in Beijing. The all-round cooperation between China and EU will embark on a new journey. The China-CEE Summit released the Bucharest Guideline for Cooperation between China and CEE Countries. Premier Li expressed the confidence that China-Romania cooperation can surely become a flag for China-CEE cooperation, which will definitely add new dynamics to China-Europe cooperation.

The excellent speech made by Premier Li Keqiang was responded by the audience with warm applause 20 times. Valeriu Zgonea said in his speech of thanks that Premier Li's visit to Romania and CEE-China Summit are productive and mark a new stage for Romania-China cooperation. The Romanian Parliament supports the two countries to strengthen cooperation and is willing to take the 65th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties next year as an opportunity to lift the Romania-China relationship, China-CEE cooperation, and China-Europe relations to the next level.

Premier Li Keqiang, accompanied by Crin Antonescu and Valeriu Zgonea, left the hall of the parliament amid a standing ovation.