China encourages cooperation with central, east Europe

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi on Thursday suggested think tanks should help cooperation between China and Central and Eastern Europe.

Yang was speaking at the 1st High-level Symposium of Think Tanks of China and Central and Eastern European Countries, noting that the symposium is the result of the Bucharest summit in November.

The two sides have complementary advantages and enjoy great prospects for cooperation which will become a growth area of China-Europe cooperation, he said, adding that he hopes the think tanks from both sides can contribute their wisdom to this matter.

Prior to the gathering, Yang met former leaders of Central and Eastern European countries including Croatia's former president Stjepan Mesic who expressed willingness for providing intellectual support for the two sides' cooperation.