CRI听力:Chinese Premier Visits UK, Greece to Deepen Cooperation

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is set to make his way to Britain and Greece for a pair of official visits next week.

CRI's Min Rui has more.

Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao says Li Keqiang's forthcoming trip should help establish a new direction for cooperation between China and the UK.

"Premier Li's visit to UK will further cement the bilateral cooperations, especially the cooperations concerning infrastructure construction, nuclear power, high-speed railway, finance and high technology, and bring vitality and new content to the bilateral partnership. The talent exchange will be promoted through cultural interactions, media collaboration, educational communications and personnel exchange. We will put forward new measures to consolidate the friendship between the two countries."

Li Keqiang is due to meet with British Prime Minister David Cameron.

He's also been granted an audience with Queen Elizabeth II.

The Chinese Premier is also due to meet with business leaders and deliver a speech to a British think-tank.

Chinese vice Commerce Minister Gao Yan also says the trip should help solidify Britain's move toward becoming a major hub for the movement of the Renminbi.

"The city of London has always been committed to become the RMB trading center. China will held talks with Britain around the issue. I hope Li's visit will help make progress in this issue and in finance cooperation as well."

As for the 2nd leg of Li Keqiang's trip to Greece, business dealings will also be high on the agenda.

Greece, still trying to claw its way out of debt, has been looking toward China for investment opportunities.

Chinese shipping giant COSCO has already acquired a 35 year deal to operate piers at Greece's Piraeus port.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao says the Piraeus port deal is a good example of the cooperation that's available between China and Greece.

"Both countries are large ocean countries, with long costal lines and ample oceanic resources. The two sides have great potential in ocean cooperation.

Li Keqiang's latest overseas trip will run from June 16th to the 21st.

For CRI, I'm Min Rui.