Intensification of cooperation between CEE countries and China

I welcome you very warmly. I would like to emphasise the great importance of the first meeting of the leaders of China and Central and Eastern Europe, which took place in Warsaw in April 2012. It was important for both sides, for all states. Today, in Warsaw, after five years of cooperation under the ‘16+1’ Initiative, you can see the effects.

The relations are very intense, and we have achieved success in many fields. In 2016, the President of China visited Central and Eastern Europe twice. He spoke about the future and the great potential. The presidents and leaders met five times, which gave everyone strength and reinforced cooperation. During those five years, countries such as China, Poland, Serbia and Hungary have created stable relations with strategic partners. We know that the best moment has come for the development of these mutual relations.

Investments increased to 58 million dollars, which constitutes a 43-percent increase. China has already invested 80 billion dollars in the region. The contracts also bind us with companies from Wrocław, where we have local residents. Our goal is to improve the quality of life of the residents of Poland, so also of those living in Wrocław. We organise meetings regarding many areas – both of the field of culture and education. We invite mayors and representatives of the education sector. Furthermore, delegations of China and the Central and Eastern European countries have held many meetings. So far, five medical centres and three cultural centres have been built; 50 friendly cities have invited 10 thousand students. The countries of Central and Eastern Europe have already established five direct air connections with China.

Ladies and gentlemen, cooperation under the ‘16+1’ initiative is a very important mechanism that serves the development of both China and the Central and Eastern European countries. The ‘Belt and Road’ agreement is aimed at bringing benefits to both parties. In May 2017, we organised an international summit in China dedicated to this initiative. Prime Minister Beata Szydło participated in the conference; she expressed her support and shared her ideas in order to deepen cooperation and create common foundations.

Cooperation within the transport sector constitutes a key component of the ‘16+1’ initiative. The Central and Eastern European countries are located in the heart of Europe. China would like to cooperate with European countries as part of the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative. We want to build ports, railways, logistics centres and fast railways. We want to create a successful future under the ‘16+1’ mechanism.

Poland was one of the first countries to establish political relations with China, and these have been maintained for 68 years. In June 2016, our president visited Poland, and his visit was a great success. There are strategic partners involved in the initiative. In order to increase trade and refine logistics, the Coordinating Secretariat for Maritime Issues in Warsaw was established in February 2017 under the ‘16+1’ programme. In China, the 19^th Congress of the Communist Party was organised at that time.

The Chinese government wants to create a new vision; it has new ideas and wants to include the Central and Eastern European countries in its programme in order to deepen cooperation. Our government wants to continue the development on the win-win principle, that is, a principle that serves the benefit of both parties. Unification is our strength. The ‘16+1’ cooperation will intensively support connections between our countries.

Ambassador “16+1”, China’s Special Representative for China-CEE Cooperation Affairs, Huo Yuzhen