The Third Ministerial Forum on Cultural Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) took place in Hangzhou on Friday. 

Chinese Culture Minister Luo Shugang met with 16 CEEC delegates and witnessed the signing of various papers, including the Hangzhou Declaration on China-CEEC Cultural Cooperation, a 2018-19 plan and a memorandum for establishing a coordination center in Macedonia. 

The biennial forum was launched in Beijing in 2013. In 2015 the second session was held in Sofia, Bulgaria.

On the forum, China's national performing arts theater and the Ivan Vazov National Theater of Bulgaria signed a cooperation agreement on collaboration on art events, such as International cultural festival and activities. The cooperation agreement aims to develop cultural and artistic products in both countries, as well as winning support from related institutions to promote exchanges of information, resources and staffs.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sent a letter of congratulations to the forum, applauding the expanding "16+1" cooperation between China and CEEC countries over the past five years has made substantial achievements and benefited the people of these countries.