On March 26, 2015, the launching ceremony of the Year of Promotion of China-CEEC Tourism Cooperation was held in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary sent congratulatory letters respectively.

Li Keqiang expressed in the congratulatory letter that the Year of Promotion of China-CEEC Tourism Cooperation is one of the consensus reached at the Meeting of Heads of Government of China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) in Belgrade last December, as well as an important content of the Belgrade Guidelines. As an important part and the key area of China-CEEC cooperation, expanding cooperation in tourism will help promote personnel exchanges between China and CEEC, deepen mutual understanding between the two peoples, consolidate traditional friendship and boost the economic development of all countries.

Li Keqiang pointed out that China and CEEC are rich in tourism resources, and therefore the development of tourism cooperation enjoys sound foundation and great potential. There are more than 100 million person times outbound visits every year in China. An increasing number of tourists from China and CEEC hope to have a deeper understanding of the long history and splendid culture of each other and appreciate the beautiful natural scenery and unique cultural landscape. The Chinese side is ready to work together with CEEC to ensure the success of a series of activities for the Year of Promotion of China-CEEC Tourism Cooperation, strive to build tourism cooperation into a new growth point for China-CEEC cooperation and infuse new vitality into the traditional friendship between the two sides, so as to make new contributions to deepening China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutually benefits and win-win results.

Viktor Orban said in his congratulatory letter that Hungary has always been committed to promoting CEEC-China cooperation, which not only corresponds to the interests of CEEC and China, but also is in line with the interests of the EU. Under the current rapidly changing international situation, it is of vital importance to deepening relations with countries with the most dynamic development like China. The holding of the Year of Promotion of CEEC-China Tourism Cooperation is sure to promote the further development of bilateral cooperation in tourism, increase the two peoples' understanding of each other' country and culture and lay a solid foundation for sustainable development of cooperation in economy, trade and other fields.