The Young Political Leaders Forumof China and Central and Eastern European Countries 2026opened in Wuhan, Hubei Province, on June 14. Jointly organized by the International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) and the CPC Hubei Provincial Committee, the forum is themed“A Joint March Toward Modernization forChina and CEEC Under New Circumstances: Youth Actionsand Contributions.”

Liu Haixing, minister of theIDCPC, and Guan Zhi'ou, secretary of the CPC Hubei Provincial Committee, attended the opening ceremony. More than 100 participants from 14 Central and Eastern European countries, including political parties, think tanks and civil society organizations, as well as representatives from Chinese government departments, local governments, enterprises and think tanks, took part in the event.

Minister Liu Haixing delivers a speech

In his keynote speech, Liu said China and CEECs share a long-standing friendship and have achieved fruitful results in cooperation under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and leaders of CEE countries. He noted that China’s path to modernization shares common aspirations and goals with the modernization efforts of CEE countries, emphasizing people-centered development, openness and win-win cooperation, and mutual learning among civilizations. He called on young people from China and CEECs to carry forward traditional friendship, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, advance exchanges among civilizations and contribute to a more peaceful and prosperous world.

SecretaryGuan Zhi’ou delivers a speech

Guan said Hubei will further deepen exchanges with CEECs, expandcooperation in trade, infrastructure, technology and green development, and strengthen people-to-people ties. He welcomed young people from CEE countries to visit Hubei for exchanges, study and investment.

Foreign participants said closer dialogue and lasting friendship among young political leaders are vital to strengthening long-term China-CEEC cooperation and advancing modernization together.