Government spokespersons from China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries gathered in Beijing on July 17 to discuss cooperation in the way governments release information to the public.

"China's [government] press releases not only provide adequate information for the public and increase the government's credibility, but also help the international community better understand China," said Jiang Jianguo, director of the State Council Information Office (SCIO), at the China-CEE Countries Spokesperson Dialogue.

"The government spokesperson system is an important institutional arrangement of state governance," Jiang said, calling on participants to increase cooperation, promote the Belt and Road initiative and enhance understanding among people from China and CEE countries.

Jiang noted that China now uses Weibo, WeChat and other mobile applications to release information in a more timely and accurate manner.

"We are on the right path if we enrich our press statements with informative and comprehensible infographics, video and animation. In terms of explaining the policies, we must do it in a way that is appreciated by the people," said Juris Vigulis, head of the Press Service of the Latvian Parliament.

"National governance and press releases are closely interconnected, relying each to a high degree," said Irena Sarac, counsellor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, adding that cooperation between China and the CEE countries should be continuous, intensive and deepened at all levels.

The SCIO said that Chinese government bodies held approximately 5,000 press conferences in 2016, more than 13 press conferences each day.