4. Enhancing Connectivity to Boost Shared Benefits

Over the past eight years, connectivity between China and CEECs has visibly improved at sea, on land and by air, further contributing to closer friendship and amity between the people of China and the 17 CEECs. China has also made use of the geographical strength of CEECs to develop its connectivity projects with the EU.

China and CEECs have been committed to building a transport corridor on land and at sea. China-Europe Land-Sea Express Line is making steady progress, with the Budapest-Belgrade Railway project launched. The Serbian section of this railway started construction in 2017, while its Hungarian section signed EPC agreement in May 2019. As one of the major China-CEEC projects, the railway has received close attention from all parties ever since it was launched. Once completed, the railway will be connected to the Port of Piraeus of Greece, the Balkan states as well as part of Central Europe, making China and Europe better connected to each other. In November 2019, President Xi Jinping visited Greece, where he commended the role of the Port of Piraeus in building the China-Europe Land-Sea Express Line. Apart from the integrated projects, certain projects are playing a positive role in facilitating maritime connectivity, such as the Peljesac Bridge project undertaken by Chinese businesses in Croatia. This is also the first EU-funded bridge project undertaken by Chinese businesses in a EU member state.

In terms of connectivity on land, the China-Europe rail freight transport has been exemplary. By the end of 2019, China-Europe rail freight trains had been operated in over 50 Chinese cities and had been able to reach 43 cities in 15 European countries. Close to 100% of the trains leaving major cities like Chongqing, Chengdu, Zhengzhou and Xi’an have returned, with a heavy box rate of over 85%. The Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary have become important hubs and two-way distribution centers for trade between China and Europe. Chinese businesses have also been working on a number of major land infrastructure projects in CEECs, including the Smokovac-Meteševo Highway in Montenegro, highways in North Macedonia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, contributing to better connectivity in the region. China has also stepped up connectivity cooperation with the EU, by working to develop a synergy between the Belt and Road initiative and EU connectivity plans. During the 17th China-EU Summit in June 2015, China and the EU signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing a Connectivity Platform, symbolizing marking the official launch of China-EU connectivity cooperation.^[2]

Efforts to build the Silk Road by air have also been made. Air China, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and other Chinese air carriers have been operating more actively in countries and markets covered by the Belt and Road initiative, and a number of air transport agreements have been signed. By the end of 2017, China had signed 122 bilateral air transport agreements with other countries and regions, up by 2 over the previous year (Panama and Slovenia), including 44 in Asia (ASEAN included), 24 in Africa, 37 in Europe, 10 in the Americas and 7 in Oceania^[3]. Six direct flight routes have been opened between China and the CEECs, making it easier for people from the two sides to engage in cooperation and friendly exchanges, including tourism. International operators such as Lufhansa, Turkish Airlines and Polish Airlines have also made their efforts to develop this air transport corridor between China and Europe.