China, CEE countries eye enhanced infrastructure co-op

BUCHAREST - China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries are seeking better collaboration on infrastructure construction, including a proposed new international railway, according to a cooperation guideline issued here Tuesday by leaders of those countries.

The guideline is a significant outcome of the second China-CEE leaders' meeting, which has brought together Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his 16 counterparts from CEE countries in the Romanian capital.

According to the guideline, the two sides will discuss plans to build a new international railway transport artery linking China and CEE countries, and will encourage the setting up of bonded areas and distribution centers along the railroads.

As part of the drive, China has already reached an agreement with Hungary and Serbia to jointly build a railway between the latter two countries.

The three sides will set up working groups immediately to advance the project as soon as possible to benefit passengers and cargo transporters.

China now has the world's second-largest railway network with the longest mileage of high-speed railway, Li said Monday when announcing the project. He highlighted the use of Chinese equipment as a new global trend due to its high quality and low price.

Meanwhile, China and CEE countries will also deepen cooperation in highway, port and airport construction, and support the establishment of a business federation that facilitates the participation of institutions and enterprises alike from both sides in infrastructure construction collaboration, according to the guideline.

Also, Beijing and CEE countries -- the new markets of Europe -- plan to expand cooperation in science and technology innovation, information communication and environmental protection, read the guideline, which also lays emphasis on jointly developing clean power generation projects.