The 2021 China-CEEC Mayors Forum is launched in the port city of Ningbo, in East China's Zhejiang province on June 9. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

China and Central and Eastern European Countries or CEEC are reportedly moving to translate the great potential of their friendship into practical cooperation, by producing tangible results related to novel coronavirus pandemic control and economic recovery

The 2021 China-CEEC Mayors Forum – which coincided with the second China-CEEC Expo & International Consumer Goods Fair – was held on June 9 in Ningbo city, in East China's Zhejiang province, according to local media reports.

Top officials and diplomats from 34 cities in 11 provinces in China and 11 CEE countries – including Serbia, Romania, North Macedonia and Poland – attended the forum.

In addition, mayors, deputy mayors and department heads from more than 50 CEEC cities attended online through videoconferencing.

Qiu Dongyao, mayor of Ningbo, in his keynote speech talked about the economic and trade cooperation and achievements between China and CEEC – and the key role that Ningbo has played in the pandemic control and in fostering a sound business environment between the two parties.

Sinisa Mali, the Serbian Minister of Finance and mayor of Belgrade from 2014-18, addressed the event through online video. Mali expressed his country's gratitude for China's helping hand during the COVID-19 period, with much-needed supplies effectively improving Serbia's capacity for pandemic control.

"A friend in need is a friend indeed," he said.

Mali also expressed Serbia's firm support for the Belt and Road Initiatives and the cooperation between China and the CEEC.

Gyula Porga, mayor of Veszprem in Hungary, said in an online address that a sense of security was what a city should give its residents and he hoped to further strengthen cooperation and exchanges with Chinese cities including Ningbo, in the future.

Emil Boc, mayor of Cluj-Napoca in Romania; Gyula Porga mayor of  Veszprem in Hungary; Bogdan Wenta, mayor of Kielce in Poland and other mayors from CEEC countries also addressed delegates through online videos during the panel session of the forum.

In addition, the China-CEEC Cities Online Exhibition was launched at the event.

Bogdan Wenta, mayor of Kielce in Poland, addresses participants through an online video during the panel session of the forum. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The China-CEEC Cities Online Exhibition is launched at the event. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]