China welcomes more EU participation in Chinese urbanization

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers a speech at 2015 EU-China urbanization partnership forum in Brussels, Belgium June 29, 2015. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

He also asked for cooperation in energy efficiency and environmental protection. Europe takes the lead in low-carbon technology, in nearly zero emissions of buildings and in sewage and garbage treatment, Li said.

"We welcome Europe to actively participate in China's development of low-carbon cities, low-carbon industrial parks, in the renovation of buildings for energy efficiency and the treatment of waste water and refuse and the development of clean energy," said the premier.

China is ready to work with Europe to develop third markets for energy-saving and environmental protection equipment, he added.

China has promised to peak its carbon dioxide emissions around 2030, and start to reduce the emissions afterwards.

China is striving to reach the peak at an even earlier date and increase the share of non-fossil fuels to around 20 percent in primary energy consumption by 2030, he said.

Li also asked for the promotion of public services and cooperation in this regard. With the rapid development of urbanization in China, the country's demand for medium- and high-end consumer products and for equalized public services is also increasing, he said.

Europe is good at education and health, recreation and fashion industries. China welcomes European enterprises to expand markets in China in those sectors. China, on the other hand, has comparative advantage in infrastructure construction, he said. China hopes that Europe can create favorable conditions for Chinese businesses in the upgrade and renovation of European cities, he said.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who joined Li at the forum, said Europe and China face common challenges and enjoy immense opportunities in urbanization. Europe admires China's accomplishments in urbanization and is willing to be a major partner of China, he said.

Also on Monday, Premier Li attended a dialogue on China-EU innovation cooperation. Li ended his stay in Brussels and flew to Paris later on Monday for an official visit.