Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday reiterated the country's pledge to import goods worth $170 billion from Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) and double CEEC agricultural exports to China in the next five years.

Xi made the remarks in a congratulatory letter to the second China-CEEC Expo, which is being held in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province. 

Xi said the China-CEEC cooperation mechanism is an important platform for China and CEEC to enhance friendship, expand cooperation and seek common development. 

Recalling February's China-CEEC Summit, Xi stressed the importance of aiming for concrete results and increasing cooperation outcomes that benefit both sides under the new circumstances. 

"With the joint efforts of all parties concerned, the outcomes of the summit are being implemented," Xi said. 

He also highlighted the China-CEEC Expo's role in helping the Chinese market learn more about the commodities from the CEEC and expanding exports from CEEC to China. 

Noting that holding the expo is conducive to overcoming the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and promoting economic recovery, Xi voiced hope that all parties would continuously explore the potential for cooperation and work together to open up a broader space for cooperation.

The fair is expected to be attended by over 300 CEEC companies, featuring products including private aircraft from Slovenia, high-end kitchen appliances from the Czech Republic and popular skincare brands from Poland. 

In the first quarter of this year, China imported $8.17 billion worth of goods from CEEC member countries, a year-on-year jump of 44.7 percent.