Premier Li Keqiang called to accelerate building of the China-Europe land-sea express line when he met with his Serbian counterpart Ana Brnabic as construction of the Serbian section of Hungary-Serbia Railway began on Tuesday.

Premier Li said the section's construction signified a breakthrough progress for the Hungary-Serbia Railway. It's hoped that both countries can further advance the project and complete the flagship program as soon as possible, which will inject new momentum into building the China-Europe land-sea express line and regional connectivity, he said.

The 350-kilometer flagship railway will link Hungarian capital Budapest with Serbian capital Belgrade, with 184 km in Serbia and the rest in Hungary. A group of Chinese enterprises, led by China Railway Co, will build the line that will shorten the travel time from eight hours to three hours.

Hungary announced an open bidding for the railway's Hungarian section during the sixth Meeting of Heads of Government of China-Central and Eastern European Countries.