The China/Central and Eastern Europe summit: a new vision of cooperation, old instruments

On 22-24 November 2015, the fourth summit between China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe in the ‘16+1’ formula was held. It saw the adoption of a plan for cooperation in 2016 (the ‘Suzhou Guidelines’), as well as a medium-term plan for cooperation up to 2020. The development of transport infrastructure in the region received the bulk of attention at the summit. The list of areas of cooperation was also extended: the importance of agriculture and logistics increased, and plans for closer industrial cooperation were announced. Beijing is trying to synchronise its cooperation with the CEE countries with the concept of the ‘New Silk Road’ as well as the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan, that is, with Chinese priorities in both foreign and domestic policy. At the same time, however, there was no qualitative change in the instruments for cooperation, including the financial tools, which casted doubt on the prospects for the ambitious targets which were set.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: China's European charm offensive: silk road or silk rope? http://www.europeansources.info/record/chinas-european-charm-offensive-silk-road-or-silk-rope/

ESO: Background information: Beijing calls for new 'Silk Road' between China and Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/beijing-calls-for-new-silk-road-between-china-and-europe/

ESO: Background information: China’s foreign direct investments within the ‘16+1’ cooperation formula: strategy, institutions, results http://www.europeansources.info/record/chinas-foreign-direct-investments-within-the-161-cooperation-formula-strategy-institutions-results/

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