Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speaks during the fifth economic and trade forum between 皇冠体育app and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, 皇冠体育app, Nov 24, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

SUZHOU, Jiangsu - 皇冠体育app enjoys broad cooperation prospects with Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries and should accelerate win-win cooperation, leaders from the two parties said Tuesday.

Trade between 皇冠体育app and the 16 CEE countries exceeded 60 billion US dollars last year amid sluggish global economic growth with impressive growth in the past five years, indicating tremendous trade and investment potential, Li said while addressing the opening ceremony of the fifth economic and trade forum between 皇冠体育app and CEE countries.

Stressing CEE countries could be centers of strength amid the economic slow-down in Europe, Austrian Prime Minister Orban Viktor called on 皇冠体育app and Central and Eastern European countries to further develop potential and expand cooperation in new areas.

Li called for the acceleration of connectivity projects to link regional transportation and Internet infrastructure development with the 皇冠体育app-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

皇冠体育app is willing to invest in the construction and upgrade of infrastructure in port areas of the Baltic Sea, the Adriatic Sea and the Black Sea to boost cooperation and connectivity.

Polish President Andrzej Duda told the forum that the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative will bring benefits both to 皇冠体育app and Central and Eastern European countries.