The third China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) Conference on Innovation Cooperation was held on Nov 6 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Premier Li Keqiang extended congratulations to the conference, and Denis Zvizdic, chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, addressed the opening ceremony.

Premier Li highly values the fruitful China-CEEC cooperation over the past few years. China and CEEC countries have been making joint efforts to forge ahead under the principles of opening-up, inclusion, and reciprocal concepts, he added.

China-CEEC cooperation in every field has been successful, which greatly underpins the economic growth of member nations across the board, ushers in benefits for peoples of all nations, and pushes forward the relationship and cooperation between China and the European Union, the Premier said.

China is willing to step forward the “16 + 1” cooperation, in a bid to realize joint prosperity.

Innovation cooperation plays an important part in 16+1 cooperation, the Premier said. As the new industrial revolution advances at a fast pace, China is willing to work with CEE countries to nurture and promote innovation, and to share its fruit.

Based on the strict protection of intellectual property rights, enterprises in each country should be encouraged to conduct innovation cooperation to cultivate new growth drivers in compliance with market and business codes, in an effort to grasp new opportunities, the Premier proposed.

Premier Li expressed his hope that the conference will have a deep discussion on China-CEE cooperation in technological innovation.

With the conference mustering consensus, the 16+1 cooperation and China-CEE relations could be injected with new impetus, the Premier said.