President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) Summit via video link in Beijing, capital of China, Feb 9, 2021. (HUANG JINGWEN / XINHUA)

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that China stands ready for vaccine cooperation with Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC).

So far, Serbia has received 1 million doses of vaccines from a Chinese company, and there is ongoing cooperation between Hungary and Chinese vaccine companies, Xi said at the China-CEEC Summit held via video link.

China will actively consider such cooperation with other CEE countries if there is the need, he added.  

'17 plus 1 could make more than 18'

Xi lauded the cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC), saying that "17 plus 1 could make more than 18."

China-CEEC cooperation is based on mutual respect and has no political strings attached, President Xi said

Xi made the remarks while delivering a keynote speech at the China-CEEC Summit held via video link.

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China-CEEC cooperation is based on mutual respect and has no political strings attached, Xi said, adding that all countries involved, regardless of their size, are equal partners in a cooperation mechanism featuring extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.

"Guided by the conviction that '17 plus 1 could make more than 18,' we have set up a multi-dimensional cooperation framework led by the leaders' summit and covering 20-plus sectors to ensure the participation of all CEE countries," he said.

Xi also said that cooperation between China and CEEC has developed some principles that are reflective of its distinctive features and accepted by all parties.

The principles are making decisions through consultation; delivering benefits to all cooperation partners; pursuing common development through openness and inclusiveness; and achieving bigger growth through innovation.

Progress in BRI cooperation lauded

Xi added that openness and inclusiveness are the key to the sustained vibrancy of cooperation between China and CEEC, and lauded China-CEEC progress in Belt and Road cooperation.

China will work toward the establishment of a China-CEEC customs information center and a focal point for customs clearance coordination for countries along the China-Europe Land-Sea Express Line, Xi said

Acting in an innovative and pioneering spirit, China and CEE countries have taken steps early on to explore the possibility of aligning cross-regional cooperation with Belt and Road cooperation, making Central and Eastern Europe the first region where all countries have signed agreements on Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said.

Call for deepening customs cooperation

It is important for China and CEEC to deepen customs cooperation to ensure trade security and faster clearance, Xi said.

China will work toward the establishment of a China-CEEC customs information center and a focal point for customs clearance coordination for countries along the China-Europe Land-Sea Express Line, Xi stressed.

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"We could also explore cooperation on a pilot basis under the 'Smart Customs, Smart Borders and Smart Connectivity' Initiative," said Xi.

More imports from CEEC

China intends to import, in the coming five years, more than US$170 billion of goods from CEEC, Xi said.   

"We need to deepen agricultural cooperation, in a bid to double CEE countries' agricultural exports to China and raise two-way agricultural trade by 50 percent over the next five years," Xi said.

Today, trade between China and CEE countries is nearly 85 percent bigger than nine years ago, and the number of mutual tourist visits has grown nearly four times, noted Xi.

Xi added that the China-Europe Railway Express has reached most of the CEE countries, running more than 30,000 freight services so far.