China looks forward to greater cooperation with CEE countries

Central and Eastern European country representatives talk about the opportunities and challenges they are facing in a panel discussion on Friday. [Photo by Liu Wei]

China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries look forward to cooperating on different levels and also face possible challenges together, said young political representatives of both China and the CEE countries on a panel at the Young Political Leaders Forum of China and Central and Eastern European Countries on Friday.

Qi Xuchun, vice-president of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said that no countries can develop on their own amid global issues such as the financial crisis, environmental pollution, resource shortages and terrorism.

He said the Belt and Road Initiative and "16+1" cooperation, which is the cooperation between China and 16 CEE countries, are great opportunities for both China and CEE countries and all the other countries that intend to join in for greater economic and cultural development.

Many young political representatives echoed Qi's keynote in the following panel discussion saying China's investment for infrastructure and cooperation in other issues would result in win-win situations for both China and the CEE countries.

They also discussed challenges they might face, though they agreed that China and CEE countries were both in favor of the potential benefits of cooperation.

Zhang Qian, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, one of the attendees, pointed out that there is a lack of efficient channels for countries to seek direct cooperation or communication from CEE countries.

China needs to balance the relationship with 16 CEE countries and that with the EU, which some of the CEE countries are a part of, said Samo Novak, a Slovenian political adviser during the panel.

He said the "16+1" cooperation is "a complementary rather than a competitive one" as it helps to bring the 16 countries economic benefits and development which the EU may not be able to.

Another representative expressed that China and CEE countries need further communication and cultural exchanges among grassroots rather than just limited to people like elites, professors, and members of think tanks.

All the representatives expressed their willingness to put effort into enhancing coordination and cooperation with China and dealing with the challenges.

Besides the concerns about cooperation, the "16+1" cooperation mechanism has already reaped benefits and advantages in recent years.

Several accomplished express train lines and direct flight routes between cities in China and European countries have brought convenience to international trade.

China has helped Belgrade City to build the Zemun-Borca Bridge in Serbia, which is the second bridge on the Danube after almost seven decades.

The forum was organized by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, as a platform for young politicians of CEE countries to communicate with China for a better understanding about cultural and economic cooperation with each other.