Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sent a congratulatory message to a "16+1" business forum held in Sarajevo featuring cooperation between China and the 16 Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries.

In his message, Li said that with the joint efforts of China and CEE countries, "16+1" cooperation is maturing and plays an important role in promoting development of the 17 countries for the benefit of their peoples.

Li noted that it is the important consensus reached between leaders of the 17 countries to further enrich "16+1" cooperation and to build a two-way and diversified pattern of production capacity cooperation.

Li pointed out that production capacity cooperation can effectively stimulate the economy and improve people's well-being, and is a new way to realize complementary advantages, win-win cooperation and common development.

Li voiced his belief that the forum will facilitate production capacity cooperation and will make fresh contributions to improving quality and efficiency of "16+1" cooperation.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency Chairman Bakir Izetbegovic said that China has great weight in the world economy. Central and Eastern Europe, as an important part of Europe, can enhance cooperation with China toward win-win results and common development.

He said his country is ready to take an active part in China's Belt and Road Initiative so as to play a greater role in promoting regional connectivity as well as economic and social development.

Denis Zvizdic, chairman of the Council of Ministers, said "16+1" cooperation is a good platform for mutual benefits and win-win results, and is of great significance in enhancing economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has great potential in infrastructure and energy, is willing to deepen "16+1" production capacity cooperation and inject new impetus to regional development, said Zvizdic.

(Xinhua News Agency May 4, 2016)