China-CEEC high-level forum on fintech held in Lithuania

VILNIUS - The China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) High-level Fintech Forum was held here on Wednesday, during which representatives from both sides had in-depth discussions on boosting economic growth through fintech cooperation.

Organized by Lithuania's Ministry of Finance and central bank, the forum was attended by some 80 representatives from ministries of finance, central banks and fintech businesses from China and CEECs. Zhu Hexin, deputy governor of the People's Bank of China, headed the forum's Chinese delegation.

The China-CEEC cooperation mechanism has opened new methods of partnership between China and European countries, Huo Yuzhen, special representative of China-CEEC Cooperation in China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a press conference before the forum.

In almost eight years, the mechanism has formed an all-dimensional, wide-ranging and multi-level pattern of interactions and exchanges, and has brought tangible benefits to all countries involved, Huo said.

Lithuanian Finance Minister Vilius Sapoka told Xinhua that the forum focused on how to create opportunities for promoting China-CEEC cooperation in the area of fintech, and how to deal with common challenges and risks such as cybersecurity, consumer protection and data protection.

"I hope after the exchanges of our views, we will find possible solutions ... that can be an engine for further increasing our international trade," he said.

The establishment of the China-CEEC Fintech Coordination Center was also announced during the forum.