Liu Yunshan expects parties of China, CEE countries to enhance dialogue

Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Liu Yunshan on July 14 called on political parties of China and the Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries to deepen dialogue and cooperation to contribute more to the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative.

"Political parties and leaders of China and the CEE countries should embrace a broad strategic vision, carry out candid dialogues on major issues about the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-CEE cooperation," Liu said.

Liu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks in a keynote address at the China-CEE countries political parties dialogue.

The dialogue, the first of its kind within the China-CEE 16+1 cooperation mechanism, was inaugurated in 2016 in Budapest.

The political parties of China and the CEE countries can share experiences about party and state governance, highlight policy communication and enhance political and strategic mutual trust, Liu said.

Both sides need to promote institutionalized people-to-people exchanges and help people of China and the CEE countries gain a better understanding of one another, according to Liu.

Liu applauded the practical cooperation between China and the CEE countries, which has entered a phase of early harvest, with projects such as the Hungary-Serbia railway and Montenegro south-north expressway being well underway, the Stanari Thermal Power Plant in Bosnia and Herzegovina already in production and integrated into the grid.

"We should continue to strengthen planning for development and align our development strategies, and ensure the success of our cooperation in big projects," Liu said.

Both sides should accelerate the implementation of projects agreed upon and plan for new ones, he said.

"The CPC is willing to work together with political parties of the CEE countries to build bridges of communication to facilitate cooperation between the localities and businesses of China and the CEE countries," he said.

He said China will invite 1,000 young people from the CEE countries to go to China for exchanges within the following 10 years and both sides should build more platforms for the young people to deepen their mutual understanding.

Liu said the CPC has been firm in fully strengthening its self-governance and party discipline and cracking down on corruption to offer a strong guarantee for the development of China.

"In a few months, the CPC will hold its 19th National Congress. This is a major event in the political life of the party and the country, and will surely elevate our party building to a new level and have a significant and far-reaching impact on China's future development," Liu said.