Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang and his Hungarian counterpart Tibor Navracsics pledged to step up bilateral cooperation during their talks on Monday.

Li said that China and Hungary have built a friendly and cooperative partnership and their bilateral cooperation has developed to a new level.

China attaches great importance to the development of its relations with Hungary, Li said.

China is willing to make joint efforts with Hungary to enhance political mutual trust, to boost their pragmatic cooperation in economy and trade, as well as their cultural and tourism exchanges, he said.

Efforts will also be made to speed up cooperation concerning the development of sister cities in order to promote healthy Chinese-Hungarian relations, Li said.

Navracsics expressed warm welcome to Li's visit in saying that Hungary looked forward to discussing efforts with Li in promoting bilateral links and adding new impetus to their ties.

Li arrived in Budapest early on Monday for a two-day official visit to Hungary.

The Chinese vice premier will also visit Belgium and European Union headquarters in Brussels later this week.

(Xinhua News Agency May 1, 2012)