BEIJING, May 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Visiting Premier Li Keqiang says China highly appreciates Indian President’s efforts to push forward bilateral relations when meeting with Pranab Mukherjee, calling him an old friend of China.

Li said as strategic partners and friendly neighbors, the two countries both acknowledge that they should build on their common interests and go beyond differences to further boost ties and benefit the two peoples.

Premier Li said the development of bilateral relations requires peaceful and stable international circumstance. He said as two countries that share common or similar stance on many international affairs, China is ready to work with India to deepen strategic partnership.

When meeting with Indian vice president and chairman of the upper house of parliament, Hamid Ansari, Premier Li said that parliamentary exchanges are important in promoting communication. He added China will continue to push forward friendly exchanges between the two countries’ legislatures. Li also said China wants to deepen exchanges with India when he met the ruling Congress party chief and a lawmaker from the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party.

(Source: CNTV.cn)