Premier's win-win Europe visit

The two 'silk roads' proposed by China will revitalize Eurasia as well as help build a more inclusive and open global market

This year could well be described as China's "European year" as Premier Li Keqiang paid a second visit to the continent. In fact, he has visited Europe four times since taking office last year. Moreover, his presence at the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting in Milan, Italy, on Oct 16-17 has brightened the prospects of the new Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which President Xi Jinping proposed last year, becoming operational.

Li's visit to Germany, Russia and Italy, given their strategic significance both in terms of geopolitics and economics, reflects Beijing's determination to deepen China-Europe cooperation. The "two silk roads" are aimed at improving the connection between Asia and Europe (and even Africa), as well as advancing China's comprehensive reform and Europe's re-industrialization process.