Joining hands in tapping the potential of profound friendship

Editor's Note: The following is an excerpt from the speech delivered by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the Third Meeting of Heads of Government of China and Central and Eastern European Countries in Belgrade on Dec 16, 2014.

I am pleased to meet so many friends, old and new, in the city of Belgrade for the Third Meeting of Heads of Government of China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs).

In 2013, we had a successful meeting and released the Bucharest Guidelines for Cooperation. The past year witnessed growing political mutual trust and frequent high-level exchanges between our two sides. I have had very good discussions, either in Beijing or on other occasions, with many of the leaders present today. Two-way exchanges keep expanding, and our cooperation between youths, different localities, think tanks and media, as well as in education are more active than ever before. China and seven CEECs have celebrated the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties, a testimony to our profound traditional friendship.