New 16+1 China-European initiative introduced in Beijing

Katarina Csefalvayova(left), vice president of Slovakia's political party SIET, smiles as she writes Chinese calligraphy at an event in Beijing on Friday. The event was organized to showcase traditional Chinese culture to delegates attending the Young Political Leaders Forum of China and Central and Eastern European Countries. [Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn]

China proposed an exchange program that sees a total of 1,000 young people from China and 16 central and eastern European countries in five years to enhance people-to-people communications.

On Friday, Qi Xuchun, vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, addressed the Young Political Leaders Forum of China and Central and Eastern European Countries held in Beijing.

"Wide and profound people-to-people exchanges provide basis for political communications, mutual trust for economic cooperation and vitality to social development," Qi said.

Qi said he hopes young political leaders will help their countries carry out pragmatic cooperation with China to develop the "16+1" cooperation - the cooperation between the 16 countries and China - and the Belt and Road Initiative.

He also encouraged them to enhance coordination and cooperation with China in international and regional affairs, "especially in fields that concern both sides, such as climate, environment, new energy, security and non-proliferation."

When he addressed the second China and Central and Eastern European Countries Economic and Trade Forum in Warsaw in 2012, the then premier Wen Jiabao proposed 12 measures to enhance cooperation between China and the 16 countries of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.

One of the measures proposed is to hold the Young Political Leaders Forum of China and Central and Eastern European Countries.

The forum is a biennial event that gathers young politicians from the 16 countries. The first forum was held in 2013, also in Beijing. This year's forum attracted about 50 leaders of political parties in the 16 countries.

Augustin Mitu, vice president of the senate of the Parliament of Romania, was also at the forum Friday and said, "The young politicians have the opportunity as well as the responsibility to further promote collaboration with China in economical and research field, through a series of sincere partnerships, based upon mutual respect, thus ensuring long-time achievements,"

Michal Ludwikowski, member of the Polish Peoples Party Supreme Council said, "We, the young leaders, are following the footsteps of our more experienced colleagues that met during China and Central and Eastern European Countries summits in Bucharest in 2013 and Belgrade in 2014. I am sure we will follow their example and do our best to strengthen the ties and relations between our region and China."

Prior to the opening of the forum, participants ventured on a series of visits to an economic zone in Lang Fang, a city in North China's Hebei province, southeast of Beijing, and a visit to Inno Way in Zhongguancun, a street where many investors occupy. They also participated in activities showcasing Chinese culture, such as writing Chinese calligraphy and watching the process to make tea.