On June 8, after the China-CEEC Ministerial Meeting on Promoting Trade and Economic Cooperation, Chinese Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng and ministers or representatives from 16 CEE countries attended a press conference to introduce the achievements in the meeting and answered questions from the media.

Gao announced the following main achievements in the meeting:

First, all parties agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between departments of economy and trade, follow the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and complementary advantages, take the opportunity of building “Silkroad Economic Belt” and “Maritime Silkroad in the 21st Century”, promote economic and trade cooperation and bolster common development and prosperity. To improve the mutual understanding of economic and trade departments between China and other 16 countries, we will continue to strengthen cooperation in human resources and capacity building.

Second, all parties agreed to explore trade potential between China and CEEC and expand trade scale. China will actively support its enterprises to import quality agricultural products like beef, mutton, dairy products, food, grape wine and other products from the CEEC, and welcomes CEEC enterprises to attend exhibitions held in China to promote the popularity of their products.

Third, all parties agreed to continue promoting investment, so as to realize the rapid growth of mutual investment between China and CEEC. They also agreed to increase investment in scientific and technological innovation, clean energy, energy conservation and environmental protection, resources exploitation, agriculture, biotechnology and R&D. Therefore, Ministry of Commerce of China will hold a seminar on China-CEEC investment promotion and introduction, and establish a connection mechanism for China-CEEC investment promotion. CEEC members will actively participate in related activities.

Fourth, all parties agreed to give full play to cooperative mechanisms like China-CEEC Advisory Committee of Expert on Transportation Network Building, so as to promote exchanges and cooperation in infrastructure including railway, electric power, port and highway through bilateral and multilateral cooperation among governments and enterprises.

Fifth, all parties agreed to promote free trade, oppose all kinds of trade protectionism, and encourage the resolution of trade frictions through dialogue and consultation, in order to promote the sound and stable growth of China-CEEC economic and trade relations.

Sixth, all parties agreed to promote trade and investment facilitation; provide convenience in visa and work permit to commercial personnel of China and CEEC to expand mutual investment; encourage competent departments and organizations of the countries to discuss standards, personnel aptitude and equipment standard authentication in infrastructure construction, so as to create better environment for cooperation between businesses.

Besides, all parties agreed to strengthen cooperation in finance, tourism, transportation and logistics and regional cooperation, and further enrich bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

Gao said that in a favorable and friendly atmosphere, the meeting reached consensus and made clear the cooperative direction, and achieved expected results. It is believed that the meeting will drive and deepen China-CEEC economic and trade cooperation.

(All information published on this website is authentic in Chinese. English is provided for reference only.)