The 4th China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) Expo concluded in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, on May 25, marking another milestone in cross-regional cooperation. With nearly 1,500 enterprises participating, the event highlighted economic partnerships and cultural dialogue along the historic Maritime Silk Road.
At the heart of the expo was the 'A Taste of Zhejiang and CEEC' culinary exchange, where Bulgarian youth Betizhe Osmanova Akova explored stalls brimming with delicacies from participating countries. From Serbian smoked meats to Hungarian pastries, she described the experience as 'a journey through continents on a single plate,' emphasizing how food fosters mutual understanding.
Ningbo, a hub for global trade, leveraged its strategic location to showcase innovations in logistics and green technology alongside cultural offerings. The expo's success underscores growing ties between China and CEEC nations, with signed agreements spanning agriculture, tourism, and digital infrastructure.
For diaspora communities and travelers, the event offered a tangible connection to Asia's evolving cultural landscape. Academics note such exchanges as critical to building people-to-people diplomacy, while investors eye opportunities in CEEC markets gaining traction through China's Belt and Road Initiative.
