Jointly Writing a New Chapter in China–CEEC Economic and Trade Cooperation

 

 

Xinhua News Agency, Brussels, May 25 Overview | Jointly Writing a New Chapter in China–CEEC Economic and Trade Cooperation

By Lin Hao, Kang Yi, and Zhong Ya – Xinhua News Agency

From May 22 to May 25, the 4th China-CEEC Expo & International Consumer Goods Fair, themed "New Visions for the future" was held in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China. Exhibitors from 14 CEE countries and 9 other nations, along with guests from numerous international organizations, gathered in a grand setting to promote practical cooperation through trade and jointly write a new chapter of collaboration.   

In recent years, China has fostered increasingly innovative and pragmatic collaboration with CEEC.   

Since 2012, China's trade with CEEC has grown by an average of 8.8% per year, and China's imports from CEEC have grown by an average of 7.4% per year, both higher than the growth rate of China's foreign trade during the same period. In 2024, the bilateral trade volume reached USD 142.3 billion, a record high and up 6.3% year-on-year. According to conservative estimates, China’s total investment in CEEC has surpassed USD 24 billion to date.   

"The China-CEEC Expo serves as a gateway for these countries to access China's extensive market," stated Damir Zheba, Marketing Director of the Mostar Fair in Bosnia and Herzegovina.   

Currently, an increasing number of products from CEEC are entering the Chinese market, leveraging the momentum of cooperation. This development enriches Chinese consumers with high-quality offerings and opens new growth opportunities for businesses in these countries. To date, 126 types of agricultural and food products from 14 CEE countries have obtained market access in China, with a total of 3,430 foreign agricultural enterprises registered.   

Connectivity is essential for facilitating cooperation channels and achieving integrated development. In recent years, China's connectivity with CEEC has strengthened continuously, with large-scale infrastructure ventures and collaborations in green and digital industries becoming key highlights.   

The construction of the Hungary-Serbia Railway progresses efficiently, the China-Europe Land-Sea Express Line is under proactive development, and CEECs serve as vital corridors and destinations for China-Europe Railway Express... all contributing to enhanced connectivity and facilitating cooperation between China and CEECs.   

Lana Švab, head for the Slovenian exhibition booth at the China-CEEC Expo, noted the impressive collaboration between the Port of Koper in Slovenia and the Port of Ningbo in China. Such interconnectivity not only significantly enhances logistics and transportation between the two nations but also establishes a pivotal hub linking the markets of China and CEEC.   

China's comprehensive industrial system and innovative technologies align well with the green and digital transformation requirements of CEEC, presenting tremendous potential for collaboration. In recent years, Chinese enterprises have continuously enhanced their partnerships with CEECs in green innovation sectors, including electric vehicles and power battery production.   

Slovenia and Slovakia jointly serve as the guest countries for this Expo. An official from the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency stated to Xinhua News Agency that Slovakia is actively engaging with Chinese enterprises to advance the new energy vehicle industry. At this Expo, Slovakia prominently showcased its advanced automotive manufacturing technologies. Matevz Frangez, State Secretary of the Slovenian Ministry of the Economy, Tourism, and Sports, remarked that Slovenia possesses significant potential for cooperation with China in industries such as automobiles and is proactively exploring partnerships with Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers.   

Amid profound global dynamics changes and rising challenges and uncertainties in global economic development, collaboration between China and CEEC provides a significant opportunity for mutual efforts to address these challenges. China's high-quality growth and high-standard opening up have facilitated deeper mutually beneficial cooperation with global nations, including Central and Eastern European countries, sharing development opportunities and contributing enhanced stability and predictability to the global economy.   

Numerous political and business leaders from CEEC express eagerness to strengthen collaborative ties with China. Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov, who led a delegation to the China-CEEC Expo, emphasized Bulgaria's commitment to its relationship with China and its anticipation of deepening bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Frangez stated that in today's interconnected world, collaboration is crucial more than ever, and Slovenia is dedicated to forging a long-term cooperative partnership founded on mutual trust with China. Švab articulated the aspiration for China and CEEC to collaborate closely in shaping a shared future.

 

 

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          Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of Xinhua net. The Xinhua net version shall prevail.