On June 8, 2017，《Progress and evaluation report of China - Central and Eastern European countries’ think tanks exchange and cooperation (2015-2016)》（shorted as《Evaluation》）, edited by Huang Ping, Director-general of the Institute of European Studies, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Secretary-General of China - Central and Eastern European countries Think tank Exchange and Cooperation Network (shorted as 16 + 1 think tank network), published by China Social Sciences Press and《Europe and “the Belt and Road Initiative”: Responses and Risks (2017)》written by Liu Zuokui,professor of the Institute of European Studies, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, director of secretariat office of16 + 1 think tank network, are officially issued in the opening ceremonyof 2017Ningbo summit of Central and Eastern European countries’ overseas Chinese. Secretary-General Huang Ping briefed on the contents of the two booksand the 16 + 1 think tank network to the Chinese and foreign guests.

16 + 1 think tank network is an exchange and cooperation platform between China and the Central and Eastern European countries’ think tanks, supported by the Chinese government, led by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. It is also a nation-level, professional and internationalizedthink tankspecialized in relationship between China and Central and Eastern European countries and the study of Central and Eastern European countries.《Evaluation》, according to the one-year actual workafter the establishment of 16+1 think tank network, analyzes and evaluates theexchange and cooperation between Central and Eastern European countries’ think tanks and 16+1 think tank network in 2015 and 2016,summarizes the developing process and the current situation of China and the Central and Eastern European countries’ cooperation in recent years. The book, based on the actual work of 16 + 1 think tank network, also summarizes the characteristics of cooperation and exchange between China and Central and Eastern European countries and proposes relevant suggestions.

In particular,《Evaluation》uses an innovative index evaluation systemfor the first time, to evaluate the Central and Eastern European countries’ think tanks and academic institutions who had exchanges and cooperation with the 16 + 1 think tank network. The evaluation report lists the ranking of exchanges of 16 countries and their think tanks with 16+1 think tank network. It also analyzes the types of institutions, ways of exchange, the degree of participation and the effectiveness of cooperation and other indicators with the 16 + 1 think tank network.The assessment results of these series of indicators can give readers a more objective perspective to see the overall situation of the current cooperation and exchange between China and Central and Eastern European countries’ think tanks. It also allows readers to more directly understandthe 16 + 1 think tank network and itsoperation and development model of a professional and internationalized think tank.

In addition,《Evaluation》has important theoretical and practical value to the current process, new situation, new features of China and the Central and Eastern European countries’ cooperation.《Evaluation》also summarizes the 16 + 1 think tank network’sunderstanding and experienceon the construction of internationalized think tank and exchanges with Central and Eastern Europe think tanks. This is undoubtedly an important reference and inspiration for the development of the current think tank construction in China, the cooperation of domestic relevant institutions and think tanks of Central and Eastern European countries and the promotion of 16 + 1people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.

《Europe and “the Belt and Road Initiative”: Responses and Risks (2017)》is also issued at the same time. The book is the first published researching book after the Belt and Road Summit.It is a companion with the book published in 2015, the national think tank report 《Europe and “the Belt and Road Initiative”: Responses and Risks》.The report is divided into four parts: the first part is about the EU institutions and European countries’ response to the Belt and Road initiative; the second part is the survey of European elite’s views on theBelt and Road initiative; the third part is aboutthe risk of the layout and construction of the Belt and Road initiativein Europe; the fourth part is about the policy recommendations for promotingthe Belt and Road initiative in Europe. This book is based on the field research, interviews and an annual survey for European countries’ views on the Belt and Road initiative, highlighted by the policy suggestions and concentrates on the practical and theoretical reference for the layout and construction of the Belt and Road initiative in Europe.

Since 2013, the author of the book has repeatedly traveled to European countries to conduct research on the European response to the Belt and Road initiative, especially in 2015, after several months of research, he completed the book《Europe and “the Belt and Road Initiative”: Responses and Risks》. The book was listed in the "National Think Tank Report" publication project, and in December 2015, published by the China Social Science Press. The publication of the book has attracted a lot of attention, as a reference book for domestic and international academic community to understandthe implementation ofthe Belt and Road Initiative in Europe.

In 2016, this book was awarded as "Excellent national think tank report" by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.To expand the influence in academic areas, its English version,《Europe and “the Belt and Road Initiative”: Responses and Risks》was published by the China Social Science Pressand listed in the exhibiting achievement of the closing ceremony of 2016 China-Central and Eastern Europe People-to-people Exchange Year.Since then, the book (both in English and Chinese) wasexhibited during London International Book Fair of China Social Science Pressin the March 2017. Later, the book won the major scientific research of 2016 Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Innovation Project.

The reason for this book and its sequel’s popularityisthat this book is concerned about the needs of the national strategy and the timely reflection of European response on the Belt and Road Initiative. This book is also a thematic and timely book focused on linkage of Europe and the Belt and Road Initiative.