Against the background of weakening trade relations between China and the EU

trade cooperation between China and 16 Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries have gradually been closer. It is 16+1 cooperation that stimulates Sino-EU trade

and has become the new growth pole of economic and trade rela- tions between China and Europe. Nevertheless

there are issues concerning the 16+1 cooperation

including relatively small trade volume

unbalanced imports and exports

low value-added export goods

and poor environment. However

there are favorable conditions for deepening the 16+1 cooperation

such as strong trade complementarity

new cooperation model that local participation and the central government guidance

and the concept of openness

inclusiveness and win-win co- operation. Policy implications are put forward including refining the top level de- sign of 16+1 cooperation

strengthening the multi-sector planning and coordination

optimizing trade environment and developing pragmatic economic and trade coop- eration

constructing investigation and research networks and exploring commodity market potential

and innovating diversified cooperation models broadening the fields of economic and trade cooperation.