High-speed Railway Becomes Highlight of China-CEE Co-op

With the meeting among China and 16 Central and Eastern European countries having concluded in Suzhou, cooperation on developing high-speed railway technologies has been highlighted.

It comes as leaders from CEE countries joined Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on a high-speed train ride from Suzhou to Shanghai following the morning session of the China-CEE summit.

The CRH380A, China's most advanced bullet train, has a maximum speed of 486 kilometers per hour. The 25-minute trip took the leaders from the garden city of Suzhou to financial hub of Shanghai, 100 kilometers away.

Premier Li used the train ride as a showcase for future cooperation between China and CEE countries.

"The development of China's high-speed rail is a symbol of our advanced equipment technolgy. We have already signed deals this week with both Hungary and Serbia on railway construction. Negotiations on other projects of their kind are also underway. As such, we think there is massive potential for cooperation in the area."

Meantime, Romanian Vice Prime Minister Costin Borc has voiced support and welcome towards Premier Li's proposals of building a '1+6' cooperative framework during the summit.

"Romania welcomes all those proposals by Premier Li which includes one major goal and six directions for development. All nations in the region should not only enhance cooperation on big projects, but also eye the development of medium and small enterprises. Romania is very interested in Premier Li's cooperation initiative among port areas in Adriatic-Baltic-Black Sea region, we also hope that we enhance cooperation on infrastructure construction between the ports including railways and roads."

The framework means keeping the building of an open, inclusive, win-win partnership as a goal, while deepening cooperation in 6 major areas.

Borc also hailed the current '16+1' framework since it has boosted regional cooperation among CEE nations.

For more on how China is cooperating with Central and Eastern Europe, CRI's Michael Butterworth spoke earlier with Professor Feng Zhongping with the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.

Professor Feng Zhongping with the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations speaking with CRI's Michael Butterworth.