Xi vows tighter ties with 17 European states in riposte to Biden

China pledges $170bn in imports from CEE nations as US aims to rebuild alliances

Chinese President Xi Jinping, seen here in September, has promised Central and Eastern European countries everything from COVID-19 vaccines to stepped-up investment. © Reuters

CK TAN, Nikkei staff writer

February 9, 2021 21:57 JST

SHANGHAI -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday pledged to strengthen cooperation with 17 Central and Eastern European, or CEE, countries, underscoring Beijing's determination to counter the new U.S. administration diplomatically.

Xi's proposals range from COVID-19 vaccine sales and agriculture imports to investments through the Belt Road Initiative, along with establishing educational institutions in former Soviet socialist economies. He promised to import $170 billion worth of commodities from the region over the next five years.