The China-CEE Institute, China’s first independently registered think tank in Europe was launched in Hungary on Monday, aiming to promote mutual understanding and intellectual cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries.
An academic committee will be set up, and leading scholars from China and CEE countries will be members of the committee.
Liu Qibao, head of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) also attended the ceremony.
In the launching ceremony, Wang Weiguang, President of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, who serves as honorary president of China-CEE Institute said under the 16+1 mechanism, the China-CEE Institute would promote people-to-people exchanges through field study, joint research, conferences, seminars and lectures.
Wang Weiguang, President of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, delivers a speech at the launching ceremony of China-CEE Institute in Budapest, Hungary, on April 24, 2017./Xinhua Photo
"We will be very happy and willing to work with experts, scholars and think tanks from Hungary and other Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries in order to promote mutual understanding and intellectual cooperation," Wang said.
President of Hungarian Academy of Sciences Laszlo Lovasz expressed his hope that the institute will provide additional opportunities and new sources for both Chinese and Central European researchers to fulfill their research interests.
"I am really proud that the institute will be based here in Budapest," Lovasz said.
Hungarian Academy of Sciences President Laszlo Lovasz delivers a speech at the launching ceremony of the China-CEE Institute in Budapest, Hungary, on April 24, 2017./Xinhua Photo
Liu Qibao was on a three-day visit to Budapest at the invitation of Hungary's ruling Fidesz Party,
On Monday, Liu met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and said China-Hungary relations are at their best after years of all-round development.
Liu said China attaches great importance to Sino-Hungarian relations. He also noted that China is willing to work with Hungary to improve cooperation in economy and trade, cultural and people-to-people exchanges and other areas within the Belt and Road Initiative and 16+1 framework.
The 16+1 framework is a cooperation platform created in April 2012 by China and 16 Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries including Hungary.
Orban, who is also head of the Fidesz Party, said the Hungarian government and his party attach great importance to relations with China. He said Hungary will remain open and actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and the 16+1 framework, in order to constantly enrich the content of Sino-Hungarian ties.
During the visit, Liu also attended a ceremony for the launch of the Hungarian-language edition of the book, "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China."
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