'16+1' invigorates China-Europe ties

The 6th meeting of heads of government between China and Central and Eastern European Countries in Budapest is proof that cooperation between China and the 16 CEE countries has grown from strength to strength and matured over the past five years, marked by a number of early harvests in the areas of trade, investment, infrastructure, finance, education, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. The "16+1" cooperation mechanism has delivered benefits to all the countries involved, highlighting China-Europe cooperation as a whole.

Since I arrived in Brussels, the headquarters of the European Union - in fact, even before that - I have heard some concerns expressed about the "16+1" cooperation mechanism. Some have even misunderstood it as China's "divide and rule" tactics against the EU. However, such concerns and misunderstanding are totally unfounded if one looks at why China chose to initiate the "16+1"cooperation mechanism in the first place and how China has gone about it ever since.

China has always been a supporter of European integration. Its position has been clear-cut and consistent. To divide the EU is not in China's interest. As President Xi Jinping put it, "16+1"cooperation is an important part of and useful complement to the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, and can play a role in promoting China-EU partnerships for peace, growth, reform and civilization.