On November 21 local time, Vice Premier Wang Yang, who was on an official visit to Slovenia, and Deputy Prime Minister Dejan Židan of Slovenia jointly attended the opening ceremony of the China-Slovenia Business Forum in Ljubljana. Wang Yang delivered a speech entitled "Expanding Practical Cooperation at a Higher and Newer Starting Point".

Wang Yang said in his speech that China and Slovenia are far away from each other, but the two countries enjoy a profound traditional friendship. Since the establishment of the diplomatic relationship 22 years ago, both sides have always adhered to the principles of mutual respect, equal treatment, mutual benefit and win–win outcome, actively promoted the development of the bilateral relations, and respected each other's core interests and major concerns, which can be described as a model of friendly exchanges and cooperation between big and small countries.

Wang Yang pointed out that economic and trade cooperation is the solid foundation and strong impetus of the China-Slovenia relationship. Thanks to the joint efforts of the two governments and business circles, the bilateral economic and trade cooperation has maintained a good momentum of development. Since the beginning of this year, China-Slovenia trade has surged against the overall trend, and the two-way investment has become more active day by day. The bilateral cooperation in such fields as agricultural technology, trade of agricultural produce, and agricultural quality and safety management has also made a good start. China-Slovenia economic and trade cooperation has developed vigorously, shortening the distance between each other and making the bilateral relations more solid as well.

Wang Yang said that during this visit, the leaders of Slovenia and I agreed that the Chinese and Slovenian economies are highly complementary. China can bring a broad market and sufficient capital for the development of Slovenia while Slovenia can provide practical technologies and management experience for the transformation and upgrading of Chinese economy. We agreed to conform to the eager anticipation of the enterprises from both countries, give full play to the advantages of each other, and expand practical cooperation at a higher and newer starting point, so as to better benefit the two peoples. The two sides have signed the action plan for agricultural cooperation and established an agricultural cooperation team. China is willing to import more readily-marketable and price-competitive agricultural produce from Slovenia. China encourages competitive enterprises to invest and develop in Slovenia and take part in the infrastructure construction such as ports, railways and energy in Slovenia, and welcomes more Slovenian enterprises to invest in China in multiple forms as well. China is willing to carry out all-round tourism cooperation with Slovenia.

Wang Yang stressed that China and the Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) are all at the crucial stage of economic transformation and upgrading, and the common interests of both sides are increasing. Since the establishment of the China-CEEC cooperation mechanism, the trade cooperation between the two sides has flourished, displaying exuberant vitality and broad prospect. I hope that the enterprises of both sides make good use of the big stage of "16+1", jointly make plans for the great cause of cooperation, share development opportunities, and achieve new leaps of the cause.

Židan said in his speech that the good political relations between Slovenia and China have laid a solid foundation for strengthening the bilateral economic and trade cooperation. The economic and trade cooperation between two countries has achieved fruitful results, the bilateral trade has maintained sustained growth in recent years, and the two-way investment has become increasingly active. Slovenia enjoys advantages in terms of location, environment, science and technology, and others. The Slovenian government is now carrying out economic and financial reforms to improve the investment environment. He hopes that Chinese enterprises grasp the current opportunities and more actively develop toward the Slovenian market. Slovenia is willing to strengthen cooperation in such fields as agriculture, forestry, tourism and transportation on the basis of mutual benefit and reciprocity, so as to uplift the bilateral practical cooperation to a new level.

More than 300 entrepreneur representatives from China and Slovenia attended the Forum.