BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday met with Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta, pledging to push forward cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries.

Ponta is visiting China to attend the local leaders' meeting between China and CEE countries. The meeting is scheduled to be held in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality from July 2 to 4.

China and Romania are good friends of mutual support and understanding, Xi said, noting that bilateral friendship is an important precondition and foundation for pragmatic cooperation.

China is ready to work with Romania to expand exchanges and cooperation in all areas, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs and promote bilateral ties to a higher level, he said.

The establishment of the cooperation framework between China and CEE countries has provided a new platform for China's cooperation with CEE nations, including Romania, said Xi.

China is willing to work with 16 CEE countries to enhance the scale and level of cooperation, in order to gain more cooperative results, said the president.

Ponta said Romania and China enjoy a long-term traditional friendship and bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation has promoted the development of the European country.

Romania is willing to be China's best cooperation partner in Europe, he said, adding that he hoped to take the opportunity of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties to advance relations.

Romania will continue to play a positive role in promoting China's cooperation with CEE countries as well as Europe-China relations, said Ponta.