Premier Li sends congratulatory letter to China-EU Tourism Year

Premier Li Keqiang and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker sent their congratulatory letters to the opening ceremony of the 2018 China-European Union Tourism Year, which kicked off Friday in Venice, Italy.

Premier Li said in his letter that China and Europe were at both ends of the ancient Silk Road and both sides are striving to build partnerships in peace, growth, reform and civilization. Bilateral ties are facing new opportunities as they are expected to effectively align the China-initiated Belt and Road Initiative with EU's development strategies, he said.

Li said that tourism is an important bridge for the exchanges of civilizations and promotion of friendships between people. It is also an emerging industry that stimulates economic growth. China and the EU have rich tourism resources and bright prospects for cooperation.

Li said that he hopes that both sides will take the opportunity of the 2018 China-EU Tourism Year to actively extend China-EU tourism cooperation and personnel exchanges; promote dialogues and the common hopes of civilizations; encourage shared development for mutual benefit and win-win results; and inject new impetus into the development of a China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.