China to enhance cooperation with Central, Eastern Europe

China will beef up cooperation with countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), according to a ministerial meeting that concluded on Sunday in east China.

China will boost exchanges with the 16 CEE countries in a variety of fields, including human resources, infrastructure and investment, Gao Hucheng, China's Minister of Commerce, said at the meeting that focused on economic and trade promotion in the city of Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang province.

In a step toward more mutual understanding and higher levels of economic cooperation, Gao said that the country will have more exchanges with the CEE countries in terms of human resources.

"We will also see more tie-up in the construction of infrastructure for railways, ports, highways and electricity," Gao said.

Gao added that both sides will provide more convenience in terms of visas and work permits to increase mutual investments and allow more business exchanges.

Representatives from the CEE countries expressed optimism about China's economic prospect and their willingness to enhance cooperation with China to look for more development opportunities.

The conference, with the theme "Deepen pragmatic cooperation; Achieve mutual development", discusses topics covering trade promotion, mutual investment and cooperation in infrastructure construction.