The 2018 China-CEEC Mayors Forum opens in Ningbo, Zhejiang province on June 8. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2018 China-CEEC Mayors Forum opened on the morning of June 8 in Ningbo, Zhejiang province with the purpose of deepening regional cooperation and jointly developing the policies of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Mayors from more than 20 cities of both regions, experts in China-CEEC (Central and European Countries) affairs and representatives from the business sector, gathered to share opinions on the most concerned topics, including the facilitation of trade, the liberation of investment, the construction of the 16+1 Economic and Trade Demonstration Zone, innovative work and the cooperation among small and medium-sized companies.

Qiu Dongyao, mayor of Ningbo, introduced the city to the forum audience from the perspectives of the economy, culture, nature and social development in his address. He pointed out that Ningbo is working hard to conduct more extensive and in-depth exchanges and cooperation with countries and regions involved in the BRI, including the CEEC.

"We hope Ningbo and the cities of the CEEC could further strengthen ties in the economy, trade, innovation and people-to-people exchanges, to build a model for China-CEEC relations," said Qiu.

He suggested cities of China and the CEEC build cooperation platforms under the principles of friendship, cooperation, development and mutual benefit. Also, Qiu said cities should propel the rapid development of bilateral trade through innovative policies on trading facilitation.

Industrial parks should be regarded as bridgeheads for mutual investment, according to the mayor, and practical and efficient cooperation among small and medium-sized companies should be attached with importance.

In addition to the economic ties, cultural exchanges are vital for cities of China and the CEEC to build harmonious relations as well, he said.

Andrej Hrnčiar, deputy speaker of Slovak National Assembly and mayor of the country's Martin city, gave a speech at the opening ceremony of the forum, presenting his views on China-CEEC relations and extending his hopes on cooperating with Chinese cities.

Hung Ping, director of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, delivered a speech on the development of the BRI and the relationship between the initiative and the 16+1 cooperation mechanism.

Huang said  both sides hope forge a fair, safe, open, inclusive and prosperous global environment and require things in common, such as joint discussion and active participation.

In the afternoon, three panel sessions themed on different topics were held in groups.

Qiu Dongyao, mayor of Ningbo city, Zhejiang province, addresses the opening ceremony of the 2018 China-CEEC Mayors Forum on June 8. [Photo by Shui Guixian]