Forty years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, leaders of both sides are praising the progress made over the past four decades.

Premier Li Keqiang met in Beijing with visiting EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, who is attending the Fifth Strategic Dialogue between China and the EU.

Premier Li said China hopes to speed up the negotiation process of the Bilateral Investment Treaty between China and the EU.

The EU foreign policy chief said she is looking forward to the upcoming China-EU summit in June to strengthen cooperation in various fields.