URUMQI - Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday called for efforts to push forward cooperation and development between China and other countries in the Eurasian region.

Deepening cooperation in the region is of great necessity against a backdrop of global financial market fluctuations and increasing uncertainties for world economic recovery, Li said while addressing a forum at the first China-Eurasia Expo in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which is scheduled to run from September 1 to 5.

Li demanded efforts be taken to deepen trade and investment cooperation in the region, urging all countries to further open their markets, enhance policy transparency and fight against protectionism.

Importance should be attached to tracking cross-border infrastructure projects, including roads, railways, flight routes, pipelines, and telecommunication networks, to explore the full potential of transport across the heartland of Eurasia, Li said.

He also urged further cooperation among industries and enterprises in the region, especially in the sectors of energy and resource development, husbandry, tourism, manufacturing, environmental protection and finance.

Foreign leaders at the forum, including Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari, Kyrgyz President Roza Otunbayeva, Azerbaijan's Vice Premier Abid Sharifov and Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister Aset Isekeshev all voiced support for deepening bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the region to achieve mutual benefit.

While visiting Xinjiang's exhibition area at the expo, Li urged efforts in consolidating and developing the socialist ethnic relations of equality, unity, mutual assistance and harmony in Xinjiang. He also pushed for endeavors in developing the regional economy, improving people's livelihood and ensuring stability.