(By Shi Yu/China Daily)
Editor's Note: Premier Li Keqiang will meet with the leaders of 16 Central and Eastern European countries in Dubrovnik, Croatia, on Friday to not only strengthen the 16 1 cooperation framework but also to improve overall China-Europe ties. Six experts share their views on future relations between China and CEE countries and China and the European Union.
16 1 framework can bring Beijing and Brussels closer
Liu Minru, an associated researcher in Central Party History and Literature Institute of CPC
The United States' efforts to reshape international rules to promote US President Donald Trump's "America First" policy have created immense pressure on both China and the European Union. And the divergent opinions of countries on free trade, economic globalization, global governance and other important issues have intensified competitions and distrust among global players including China and the EU.
The basic structure of Sino-EU relations, too, is changing. To begin with, despite its need to cooperate with China on market and technology issues, the EU is worried that using Chinese telecommunications company Huawei's 5G technology could compromise its security. But it is hoped that the EU, especially Western European powers, will change their attitude toward China after they realize the aims of China's development initiatives are to improve connectivity, promote free trade and multilateralism, and address common concerns.
As such, the outcomes of the summit between Premier Li Keqiang and leaders of the 16 Central and Eastern European countries in Dubrovnik, Croatia, on Friday will set the tone for not only China-CEE countries ties but also China-EU relations in the future. And since the summit is being held about two weeks before the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, it could also influence the forum's agenda and future course of the Belt and Road Initiative.
China and the 16 CEE countries have been cooperating under the 16 1 framework, and promoting multilateralism, openness, reciprocity, mutual benefit and innovation, which have yielded tangible results in sectors such as infrastructure, trade, finance and education. And it is hoped that the cooperation under the 16 1 framework will bring Beijing and Brussels closer and inject new vitality into the Sino-EU partnership. In fact, this thinking is reflected in the theme of the 16 1 summit, "Building Bridges of Openness, Innovation and Partnership".
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, as well as the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and several CEE countries. Over the past 70 years, China has charted new paths and built new bridges in diplomacy－in line with a Chinese saying: When facing difficulties and challenges, we should cut paths through mountains and build bridges across rivers. And how to build a strong bridge connecting China and the CEE countries is the main issue the 17 countries' leaders will discuss.
