New era diplomacy to strengthen ties with CEE countries

Editor's Note: Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Hungary and participation in the Sixth China-Central and Eastern Europe Leaders' Meeting from Nov 26-29 are important diplomatic moves after the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which will promote China-CEE cooperation in the framework of"16+1" mechanism. Six scholars share their views on the issue with China Daily. Excerpts follow:

Initiative boosts cooperation

Over the past five years, China's circle of friends among the Central and Eastern European countries has expanded rapidly. Before 2012, bilateral relations between China and the CEE countries had remained a good but general level.