China strengthens ties with Central and Eastern Europe

Participants at the sixth China-Central and Eastern European Countries Local Leaders' Meeting highlighted the positive impact of the China-CEEC cooperation mechanism on promoting bilateral relations and collaboration between China and Europe, and they called for increased joint efforts to enhance the quality of life for citizens.

The two-day meeting which opened on Wednesday in Yantai, Shandong province, brought together more than 300 participants from Central and Eastern European countries, including former officials, provincial and municipal leaders, diplomats, representatives from universities, research organizations and business associations.

The cooperation mechanism between China and the CEEC, established in 2012, has evolved into a platform based on cooperation and shared development. Over more than a decade it has fostered cooperation in diverse fields such as trade, culture, education, tourism and technology.

"Local exchanges are a crucial aspect of China-CEEC cooperation," Li Hongzhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress said at the meeting's opening ceremony.

He called for enhanced alignment of development strategies, improved mechanisms for local cooperation platforms and a focus on practical cooperation in key areas to ensure the steady and far-reaching progress of China-CEEC cooperation.

This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the China-CEEC Association of Provincial Governors. In recent years, Shandong has been expanding exchanges with provinces and states in Central and Eastern Europe in fields like economic and trade relations, high-level visits and cultural exchanges.

In 2023, the total import and export volume between Shandong and CEEC reached 51.55 billion yuan ($7.24 billion), a year-on-year increase of 18.6 percent. The average annual growth rate over the past five years has been around 18 percent.

Following the establishment of the China-CEEC cooperation mechanism, Shandong expanded its network of sister cities in Central and Eastern European countries from 14 pairs in seven countries to 36 pairs in nine countries.