Romanian-Chinese Cooperation

Prime Minister Victor Ponta returned on Wednesday from an official visit in China, at the invitation of his counterpart Li Keqiang.

As part of the visit, the Prime Minister was welcomed by the Chinese head of state, Xi Jinping, who emphasized Romania’s consistency in the over 65 years of diplomatic relationships between the two countries.

During the talks, the parties agreed to strengthen bilateral economic relations and to use all opportunities in order to reach this goal.

According to Victor Ponta, four projects have high priority, all in the field of energy: reactors 3 and 4 of the nuclear power plant in Cernavoda, the projects in Tarnita and Rovinari and the complex in Hunedoara.

The Prime Minister said these projects, which contribute to Romania’s energy independence and improve its capacity to export energy in areas such as the Republic of Moldova, are strategic.

In Beijing talks were also initiated regarding the construction of a high-speed rail line from Bucharest to Iasi, and possibly reaching further to Chisinau in the Republic of Moldova.

A high-speed rail line project for Central and Eastern Europe was presented in November 2013, when Prime Minister Li Keqiang came to Bucharest.

Romania would like to be the first country to benefit from the advanced Chinese technology in this field.

Victor Ponta said that efforts are being made to resume direct flights from Bucharest to Beijing, as Romania wants to be the most important EU entry point for trade with China.

Ponta says that Romania, a steady partner and friend to China, has always respected the legitimate and sovereign rights of China and the efforts this country makes for peace and development around the world.

In turn, Prime Minister Li Keqiang said that Romania has considerable influence in Europe in general and in Central and Eastern Europe in particular. He also added that China is the world’s biggest developing state.

The two parties reached a consensus on the topic of peace and regional stability as well as promoting cooperation and international development.

Some of the projects that will start as a consequence of these talks are the opening of a Beijing branch of the Romanian Cultural Institute and building a 1,800 housing unit complex in Craiova with Chinese funding.