On the afternoon of Nov. 21, 2013, Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council, President Herman Van Rompuy of the European Council and President José Manuel Barroso of the European Commission, jointly attended the China-EU Urbanization Partnership Forum, and delivered speeches.
Li Keqiang said that since its establishment a year ago, the China-EU Urbanization Partnership Forum has developed into an event in which thousands of people in the political and business fields actively participate, which fully shows that there is a great potential in China-EU new urbanization cooperation. It will certainly become an important pillar in China-EU cooperation.
Li Keqiang said that since the reform and opening-up, China has continued to move steadily towards the goal of realizing modernization, and accelerate the industrialization and urbanization process. But, China is a big country with a population of 1.3 billion, and there's still a long way to go before realizing modernization. We should actively and steadily push forward the new urbanization, on the basis of summing up experiences, which is a long-term, arduous and complex process.
Li Keqiang pointed out that China's new urbanization is based on people as the core, and focuses on quality. It respects farmers' will, protects the legal rights and interests of farmers, safeguards food security, and is committed to intensiveness, low carbon, and harmonious coexistence between mankind and nature. China's new urbanization must more accord with the will of the people, with the requirements of modernization and green development, and correctly handle the relationship between government and market. China taking the road of new urbanization should not only be based on national conditions, but also pay attention to absorbing the scientific ideas and advanced experiences of the countries that have already realized modernization. China and the EU can absolutely exchange with each other in this respect.
Li Keqiang said that China's new urbanization will bring huge business opportunities. The two sides should not only strengthen intergovernmental cooperation, but also deepen multi-level exchanges in business circles, think tanks, designers and other fields, and strengthen cooperation in planning and design, public services, green buildings, smart cities, history and culture, landscape protection, and other areas. We look forward to the participating representatives giving play to their wisdom and expertise to promote bilateral cooperation to produce great achievements.
Herman Van Rompuy and José Manuel Barroso said that the 16th EU-China Summit laid a solid foundation for opening up a new era of EU-China relationship. Urbanization cooperation is an important part of the EU-China relations. It has far-reaching influence, and can help improve the living standards of the two peoples and promote the sustainable development and common prosperity on both sides. The EU is willing to work with China to carry out long-term, pragmatic and effective cooperation in the field.
Li Keqiang, Herman Van Rompuy, and José Manuel Barroso also jointly witnessed the signing of China-EU urbanization cooperative agreement on city projects.