Ningbo’s historic Old Bund became a melting pot of flavors this week as the 4th China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEE) Expo showcased how culinary diplomacy can transcend borders. While the event traditionally highlights trade and investment, this year’s edition served a side of cultural connection: chefs from 15 CEE nations collaborated with local cooks to transform the expo into a vibrant cross-cultural feast.
Visitors sampled Zhejiang’s iconic dongpo pork alongside Balkan ćevapi sausages and Brittany-style crepes, while chefs exchanged techniques over sizzling woks and grills. 'Food dissolves language barriers,' observed CGTN correspondent Nadim Diab, who documented the event. 'A spoonful of Slovenian potica nut roll sparked as many conversations as the expo’s trade agreements.'
The initiative aligns with China’s broader cultural outreach to CEE countries under the Belt and Road framework. Analysts note that such grassroots exchanges complement high-level economic dialogues, fostering mutual understanding ahead of key negotiations. For business attendees, the fusion menus also hinted at untapped consumer markets: Central European dairy products and Chinese tea blends emerged as crowd favorites.
As night fell over the Yong River, the aroma of Hungarian goulash and Ningbo’s rice wine lingered—a testament to the expo’s recipe for diplomacy: equal parts commerce and camaraderie.
