Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Thursday called for greater solidarity and cooperation between China and the five Mekong River countries in pursuit of common development.
Li attended the eighth Greater Mekong Subregion Summit together with the heads of government of the five Mekong River countries, namely, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, and president of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Kunming, the provincial capital of Yunnan in southwest China.
In his speech at the summit, Li said that the world has entered a new period of turbulence and change, and China and the five Mekong River countries should all the more strengthen solidarity and cooperation and work together in pursuit of common development.
Li put forth a four-point proposal for deepening regional cooperation, which includes adhering to opening and cooperation and building more efficient and vibrant mega markets in the region, stepping up innovation to foster new growth drivers for the regional economy, deepening connectivity through infrastructure construction to accelerate regional economic integration, and maintaining close communication and coordination and practicing true multilateralism.
Other leaders at the meeting expressed their willingness to enhance communication and docking of development strategies among countries in the region and expand practical cooperation in various fields.
The summit adopted a leaders' declaration and a development strategy blueprint, among other documents.
Chinese premier calls for greater cooperation with Mekong River countries
Italian President Sergio Mattarella toured the Summer Palace in Beijing on Thursday, after arriving in China earlier in the day for a six-day state visit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The once imperial garden, located in the western suburb of Beijing, is the first place the Italian president visited on his first trip to China since February 2017.
He was accompanied by his daughter Laura and several Italian ministerial officials.
During the nearly one-hour trip, Mattarella learned about stories in China's history and garden landscaping in the long corridor, climbed atop the Longevity Hill to explore similarities and differences between Chinese and Italian religious cultures, and took a cruise to enjoy the sunset over the Kunming Lake.
China and Italy both have ancient civilizations. The mutual attraction between them has become precious wealth for both sides and continues to this day.
Mattarella also said earlier that promoting the exploration of the potential of the cultural and creative industries of Italy and China could bring fruitful results to both sides.
Choosing the Summer Palace as the first stop of the Italian president's visit to China also shows Italy's willingness to deepen cooperation with China in cultural heritage protection.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership.
In July, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited China. In less than half a year, two important Italian politicians have visited China successively, highlighting the high level of development of China-Italy relations.
The two countries expect to take the opportunity to further expand practical cooperation and people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
The Summer Palace is the largest and best-preserved imperial garden in China, and among the most noted classical gardens in the world. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998.
Italian president tours Summer Palace in Beijing
