RIGA — China and Czech should view each other from a strategic and long-term point of view to ensure the smooth development of bilateral ties and pragmatic cooperation, Premier Li Keqiang said in Riga on Nov 5.

Premier Li made the remarks while meeting with Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka on the sidelines of a meeting between the heads of the governments of China and 16 Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, also known as the “16+1” summit.

Premier Li also urged the Czech side to facilitate the setup of the branches of Chinese financial institutes there.

Sobotka said Czech attaches high importance to its relations with China and respects China’s core interests and major concerns.

He expected the two nations to further expand reciprocal investment and promised to support and facilitate Chinese investment in his country.