Minister of Culture of China Luo Shuguang (middle) and cultural ministers form the 16 CEEC countries pose for a photo at the opening ceremony of the Third Ministerial Forum on Cultural Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, Sept 22, 2017. [Photo by Wang Zhenbo/Chinaculture.org]

The Third Ministerial Forum on Cultural Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) kicks off in Hangzhou on Sept 22, 2017. The cultural ministers of China and 16 CEEC countries will discuss issues on cultural exchanges and operation beside the West Lake.

China’s Culture Minister Luo Shugang met with CEEC delegates and witnessed the signing of cooperation agreement between China's national performing arts theater chain CPAA Theaters and the Ivan Vazov National Theater of Bulgaria on Sept 21, 2017.

The forum is jointly held by Ministry of Culture together with People's Government of Zhejiang Province, and undertaken by the Bureau for External Cultural Relations of the Ministry of Culture of China, Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Hangzhou Municipal Government. Concerned parties will focus on the Hangzhou Declaration on Cultural Cooperation between China and CEEC and the 2018-2019 China-CEEC Cultural Cooperation Project.

The cooperation mechanism between China and CEEC (also known as the "16+1 cooperation mechanism"), was formally established in 2012. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang held five annual meetings with CEEC leaders in past five years and put forward several important documents to fully implement the mechanism.

Under this background, the biannual forum was launched in Beijing in 2013. In 2015, the second session was held in Sofia, Bulgaria. Ministers are invited to attend the forum, so that the forum serves as a cultural exchange activity of highest level as well as an important platform to plan, integrate and guide China-CEEC cultural cooperation.

The 16+1 mechanism has witnessed that the content of China-CEEC cultural exchanges have been enriched and the channels of communication have been broadened.