Premier Li Keqiang called for deepening cooperation between China and the European Union in a congratulatory letter to the China-EU Education Ministers Conference hosted in Beijing on Oct 11.

China and the European Union are important players in the current world. Strengthening China-EU cooperation is in line with the economic and social development of China and Europe and will contribute to Europe’s unity, stability and prosperity, as well as world peace, stability and economic recovery, the Premier wrote in the letter.

Premier Li said education positively affected a nation’s future. China and the EU’s cooperation in education has a long-standing tradition, profound basis and broad prospects, which will promote people-to-people exchanges to become a “third pillar” for the China-EU relationship.

Conforming to the trend, the Ministers of Education from both sides held their first meeting, and conducted face-to-face and all-round exchanges under the framework of the China-EU high-level mechanism for cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The meeting is expected to promote education exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and EU members, Premier Li said.

The Premier called on the delegates attending the meeting to fully explore the new growth point and highlights in China-EU education exchanges and cooperation to better serve bilateral economic and social development, and contribute to building a closer and lasting comprehensive strategic partnership.