On November 18, 2021,  Director-General of the Department of European Affairs of the Foreign Ministry  Wang Lutong, as the Executive Secretary General of the Secretariat for  Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC),  attended and addressed the 5th China-CEEC Capital Mayors' Forum.

Wang Lutong said, President Xi  Jinping chaired the China-CEEC Summit in Beijing this year, drawing a new  blueprint for the cooperation and development of the mechanism under new  circumstances. The successful convening of the Capital Mayors' Forum is an  important measure of implementing the outcomes of the Summit. As the leading  mechanism of the sub-national cooperation between China and CEEC, the Forum has  played a unique role in deepening bilateral cooperation in various fields since  its inception. Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of  the China-CEEC cooperation mechanism. We hope that all capitals will leverage  their respective strengths, and further strengthen cooperation in fields such as  urban development, digital economy, green innovation, winter sports, tourism and  culture, jointly writing a new chapter of China-CEEC sub-national cooperation.  The Secretariat is willing to continue to provide good coordination and  services.

This Forum is hosted by the  capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sarajevo, and supported by Beijing. Mayor of  Beijing Chen Jining, Special Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs  for China-CEEC Cooperation Affairs Ambassador Huo Yuzhen, mayors of capitals of  CEEC, and diplomatic envoys to China attended the Forum online and offline.