国内英语新闻:Chinese premier meets Bahamas counterpart

BEIJING, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with his Bahamian counterpart Perry Christie here on Thursday.

The meeting was on the sidelines of the first ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) forum.

"The Bahamas is an important cooperative partner of China in the Caribbean area. China is ready to work with the Bahamas to promote bilateral ties and relations between China and Caribbean states," Li said.

He called on the two countries to strengthen cooperation in such areas as ocean, fisheries and tourism, and take infrastructure construction as a cooperation priority.

Li said China encourages more companies to invest in the Bahamas and welcomes Bahamian companies to invest here.

Christie spoke highly of China's concrete measures to promote exchange and cooperation. He echoed Li saying the Bahamas is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in infrastructure construction and other areas.

He said the Bahamas, which hold the chair of the Caribbean Community will push forward relations and cooperation between Caribbean countries and China.

The two prime ministers discussed climate change. Li said China understands the concerns of small island countries including the Bahamas. China attaches high importance to the climate change issue and has made hard efforts to solve the problem.

He said China will enhance cooperation with and provide assistance to small island states to jointly cope with the climate change challenge.

Christie spoke positively of China's contribution to tackling climate change and hoped to get more support and assistance from China.