中国总理呼吁增强和罗马尼亚的友谊（在线收听）

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is in Bucharest, where he's met Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta and other top leaders. The official visit will be followed by a summit with leaders of Central and Eastern Europe.

Rolling out the carpet, Romania welcomed Li Keqiang, on his maiden trip to Central and Eastern Europe since becoming premier in March.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) holds talks with his Romanian counterpart Victor Ponta in Bucharest, Romania, Nov. 25, 2013. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Li held talks with his counterpart Victor Ponta on Monday.

The two agreed to cooperate on a number of projects that cover energy, finance, telecommunications, infrastructure, agriculture and cultural exchange.

A highlight was a proposed high speed railway project, a first for Romania.

And given Romania’s status as the granary of Europe, Li said China wants to import as much produce as Romania can supply.

Li Keqiang called for cooperation efforts to be guided by the principles of mutual trust and equality.

Victor Ponta welcomed Chinese businesses. And he stressed the two countries have a special relationship beyond economic interests. He said Romania is willing to be the China’s gateway to Europe and play an active role in China-EU relations.

The two leaders told the media that their meeting has proved fruitful.

Li’s visit comes just days after China and the EU began talks in Beijing on a landmark agreement to boost two-way investments.

Hundreds of Central and Eastern European businesses have their eyes on the Chinese market. Trade between China and the region has grown from 3 billion US dollars in 2000 to 41 billion in 2010.

Both sides have set their sights on bigger things to come.