China never deliberately pursues trade surplus in goods: premier Li

　　BRUSSELS, Oct. 19, China never deliberately pursues trade surplus in goods and hopes to work with Italy for a balanced increase of bilateral trade, to expand cooperation in energy, hi-tech manufacturing, creative design and to promote cooperation among medium- and small-sized enterprises of the two countries, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said here Friday.

　　Li made the remarks when meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on the sidelines of the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit in Brussels.

　　Commending China-Italy relations after the establishment of the new Italian government, Li said the two countries have established a regular meeting mechanism between two heads of government, and China stands ready to work with Italy to further deepen political mutual trust, keep the momentum of high-level exchanges, facilitate people-to-people exchanges and promote a greater development of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership in the new times.

　　China is ready to synergize the Belt and Road Initiative with Italy's development strategy, explore the third-party market cooperation, and promote bilateral pragmatic cooperation with practical actions to achieve new progress, Li said.

　　Conte hailed the firm and close relations and frequent high-level exchanges between the two countries, saying that Italy attaches great importance to relations with China.

　　He expressed Italy's support for the Belt and Road Initiative and said his country stands ready to work with China to implement the four-year action plan between the two sides, enhance cooperation in economy and trade, investment, innovation, technology, energy, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, expand exports to China, strengthen the third-party market cooperation and promote a steady development of Italy-China comprehensive strategic partnership.

　　当地时间2018年10月19日下午，国务院总理李克强在布鲁塞尔会见意大利总理孔特。

　　李克强表示，意大利新政府成立后，中意关系开局良好，两国建立起总理定期会晤机制。中方愿同意方进一步深化政治互信，保持高层交往势头，密切人员往来，推动新时期中意全面战略伙伴关系取得更大发展。

　　李克强指出，中方从不刻意追求对任何国家的贸易顺差，愿同意方推进双边贸易平衡增长，扩大能源、高端制造、创意设计合作，促进两国中小企业合作。中方愿将“一带一路”倡议同意方发展战略相对接，拓展第三方市场合作，以扎实行动推动双边务实合作取得新成果。

　　孔特表示，意方高度重视发展对华关系。意中关系牢固紧密，高层交往密切。意方积极支持“一带一路”倡议，愿同中方落实好双方四年合作行动计划，加强在经贸、投资、创新、科技、能源、人文交流等领域合作，扩大意对华出口，加强第三方市场合作，推动意中全面战略伙伴关系稳步向前发展。

　　王毅、何立峰参加会见。