Cooperation Between China and Central and Eastern European Countries

Cooperation Between China and Central and Eastern European Countries

The mechanism for cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, commonly known as "16+1," has been established to facilitate collaboration between China and the 16 CEE countries on issues of common concern. The 17 countries agree to respect each other's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, broaden understanding of each other's approach to development, and work to realize goals under the "16+1" framework in line with their own specific needs and priorities and based on equality, consultation, mutual complementarity, and cooperation for mutual benefit.

An innovative framework for sub- regional cooperation, established in 2012, the "16+1" is an important component of the entire cooperation between China and Europe. It opens new avenues for increased engagement between traditionally friendly countries. It is a new platform that focuses on South-South cooperation with the feature of South-North cooperation.

Thanks to the joint endeavors of the participants, the "16+1" has grown into an omni-dimensional, wide-ranging, and multi- channel framework that is harvesting fruitful results. A more effective alignment between the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and the "16+1" framework will bring benefits to both China and the CEE countries.

中国—中东欧国家合作

中国—中东欧国家合作简称“16＋1合作”，是中国与中东欧16国之间建立的合作机制，启动于2012年。在该机制框架下，17国将相互尊重各自主权独立和领土完整，加深对各自发展道路的理解，结合自身特点、需求和优先方向，本着平等协商、优势互补、合作共赢的原则，积极落实框架目标。

“16+1合作”是中欧整体合作的重要组成部分，这一创新性的次区域合作机制，开辟了中国同传统友好国家关系发展的新途径，创新了中国、欧洲关系实践，搭建了具有南北合作特点的南南合作新平台。近7年来，在双方的共同努力下，“16+1合作”机制不断发展壮大，形成了全方位、宽领域、多层次的格局，已步入成熟期和早期收获期。实现“一带一路”倡议与“16+1合作”机制的有效对接，将开拓中国与中东欧国家的合作共赢之路。