The 4th China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) Expo, opening in Ningbo on May 22, stands as a beacon of cross-continental collaboration. Dubbed a "frontline window" for innovation, this year's event spotlights 13 years of economic synergy through 196 active investment projects between Ningbo and CEE nations as of August 2024.
Ningbo's strategic "Science and Technology Innovation 2025" initiative laid the groundwork for this partnership surge. Since its 2018 launch, the city has prioritized advanced sectors like new energy vehicles and graphene, attracting national platforms such as the China CEE Innovation Cooperation Research Center – a brainchild of President Xi Jinping's 2022 summit proposal.
The China-CEEC Industrial Park, operational since 2020, exemplifies this growth. Over 60% of Ningbo's overseas investments in CEE nations target high-value sectors including auto parts and smart manufacturing, creating a €3.2 billion trade corridor. "This isn't just about commerce," notes a local trade analyst. "It's about co-developing technologies that address global challenges."
As 3,000+ exhibitors prepare to showcase AI-driven logistics and green energy solutions, the expo reaffirms China's role as CEE's second-largest trading partner. For investors and policymakers alike, Ningbo's blueprint offers insights into sustainable cross-border economic models.
