China – CCEC 2017 Summit in Budapest

The strengthening of the Chinese economy presents great opportunities for the countries of Central Europe. That is according to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán speaking after the economic and trade forum of China and sixteen Central and Eastern European countries

He added that, in the new world order now taking shape, the role of Asia and China has increased significantly, and will continue to increase in the future. China has also become a determining factor in terms of finance and technology, he said, and Central Europe welcomes this development. He observed that there is enormous growth potential in the Central and Eastern European region. In order for it to be able to grow, the region also needs external technological and financial resources, but existing European resources are no longer sufficient on their own. On behalf of the countries of the region the Prime Minister welcomed the fact that, as part of this new world order, China wishes to be present in the growth and development of the region.

As reported by the Xinhua news agency, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said the key to the fast development of the 16+1 cooperation is to apply the principle of equality and consultation, mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness, and innovation. The 16+1 cooperation is not a geopolitical tool, but an incubator for pragmatic trans-regional cooperation, Li said, adding that the cooperation is conducive to the balanced development of China-EU relations.

He proposed initiatives to further promote cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC). He called on the two sides to expand economic and trade scale, and boost trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. He encouraged the countries to speed up major projects on connectivity, promoting links through land, sea, air and the Internet. He suggested that the two sides probe into cooperation modes such as industrial parks in the areas of production capacity, energy, logistics and agriculture.

He also called for strong financial support for the 16+1 cooperation and urged the countries to conduct more cultural and people-to-people exchanges.