CRI听力:China, CEE Nations Sign Deal for Land-Sea Express Passage

The new land-sea express passage will cut the travel time between Belgrade and Budapest from eight hours to less than three.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attended the signing of rail and customs documents in Belgrade on Wednesday, with his Serbian, Hungarian and Macedonian counterparts.

"This will put in place a new corridor between China and Europe and we hope to see an increased exchange of goods between China and Europe. The potential for increased exchange and investments is big and a fast railway will definitely be beneficial for our trade and the development of all countries in the region."

The 400-kilometre railway will be "an extension and upgraded version" of the planned Hungary-Serbia railway running through Budapest and Belgrade.

It is also part of China's plans to speed up the delivery of its exports to central Europe that pass through the Greek port of Piraeus.

Serbian Prime Minster Aleksandar Vucic agrees the rail link will stimulate significant growth in Serbia and neighboring countries in Europe.

"This will not only develop infrastructure and transportation in Serbia but also provide a new connection with our friends from Hungary, Macedonia, and Greece. It will also bring a more significant connection to the rest of Europe. It will not only serve as faster transportation for the people, but also provide faster transportation for goods."

The Prime ministers of Hungary and Macedonia also agree that the train link will enhance regional connectivity and is in line with the interests of the region, as well as those of the EU and the whole of Europe.

Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski adds that the link will promote regional development, as well as benefit local people.

"(A) very important project for the People's Republic of China, very important project for the economy of this region, for the people, for the companies."

The Belgrade-Budapest line will be completed by mid-2017.

For CRI, I'm Luo Wen.