BEIJING, July 10 -- Representatives from China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) met in Beijing from Thursday to Friday, paving way for a leaders' meeting later this year.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao, who chaired the meeting, said this year is significant for improving China-CEECs cooperation, according to a statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry Friday evening.

Wang hailed the implementation of cooperation agreements reached in Belgrade, Serbia, last December, citing progress in railway and financial cooperation and breakthroughs in direct flights, tourism and public health.

China would like to work closely with CEECs to combine their development strategies and seek stronger cooperation, Wang said.

He called for more big projects, more flexible financial support and the possibility of third-party cooperation to create favorable conditions for the fourth China-CEECs leaders' meeting in China, slated for later this year.