On the afternoon of June 12, 2017, Premier Li Keqiang held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Prime Minister Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg, who was in China for an official visit.

Li Keqiang expressed that Luxembourg is an important cooperation partner of China in the European Union (EU). Both countries have always adhered to mutual respect and equal treatment, and enjoyed the long-term, healthy and stable development of bilateral relations since the two nations established diplomatic relations 45 years ago, which also play a leading role for the development of China-EU relations. China is willing to work with Luxembourg to deepen political mutual trust, push forward mutually beneficial cooperation toward an in-depth direction and strengthen communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, so as to open up a brighter future for bilateral relations.

Li Keqiang stressed that China is willing to, together with Luxembourg, give play to complementary advantages, enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, finance and other areas, further elevate the level of cooperation in finance industry and supervision, well implement the agreement on expansion of traffic rights arrangement, promote optimization and upgrading of steel cooperation, explore and carry out cooperation in third-party market, build more platforms for people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and further facilitate personnel exchanges, in a bid to consolidate the public opinion foundation for the long-term development of China-Luxembourg relations.

Li Keqiang pointed out that China attaches great importance to developing its relations with the EU. Under the current international political and economic situation, China and the EU should jointly send out positive signals on promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, advancing economic globalization toward the direction of inclusiveness and shared interests, as well as safeguarding the international order including the UN Charter and the rules of the World Trade Organization, in a bid to create a favorable environment for the stable development of China-EU relations as well as cooperation.

Xavier Bettel said that both countries enjoy traditional friendship, and bilateral relations have been established on the foundation of mutual trust. Luxembourg will adhere to the friendly policy toward China and is ready to deepen cooperation with China in such areas as trade, investment, finance, space technology, steel, aviation and telecommunications, and expand people-to-people and cultural communication as well as personnel exchanges, so as to promote bilateral relations for constant development. Luxembourg stands for advancement of free trade and multilateralism and is ready to enhance communication and coordination with China to jointly cope with global challenges. Luxembourg is glad to see the EU and China establishing a closer and future-oriented relationship and is willing to play a positive role to this end.

Prior to the talks, Li Keqiang held a welcoming ceremony for Xavier Bettel at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Li Haifeng and others were present.

After the talks, Li Keqiang and Xavier Bettel jointly witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents, covering sectors of social security, finance, aviation and film co-production.