Hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and People’s Government of Zhejiang Province, co-organized by the related departments in the Ministry of Commerce, People’s Government of Ningbo Municipality, Commerce Department of Zhejiang Province, the second China-CEEC Investment and Trade Expo was successfully held in Ningbo. Themed “Deepen Cooperation for Mutual Benefit and Win-win Result”, this Expo further builds an important platform for economic, trade and cultural communication and cooperation between China and 16 countries in central and eastern Europe by holding 12 activities in 4 sections including forum conferences, investment symposiums, trade exhibitions and cultural communication. It will become an important focus and breakthrough for the “One Belt One Road” construction.

Group photo of the Conference of China and Central and Eastern European Countries on Promoting Trade and Economic Cooperation

       Central and Eastern European area is called the “bridgehead” for the Sino-European cooperation. Among the countries along the “One Belt One Road” line, a quarter of them are 16 Central and Eastern European countries. From 28th to 30th in March this year, President Xi Jinping had a state visit to Czech Republic, a Central and Eastern Europe country. It was the first time throughout history for a Chinese head of state to visit Czech Republic. Central and Eastern Europe countries have become the important partners of China in international communication and cooperation. China-CEEC Expo pushed a larger space for China-CEEC economic and trade links as a key and opened a “golden age” for bilateral cooperation and communication.

       As the host city, Ningbo is the “bridgehead” of China-CEEC cooperation and communication. Based on the successful experience last year, Ningbo poured all the resources together and pooled the people’s wisdom to plan, prepare and organize this expo. The range of innovative activities, the level of guests, the depth of internationalization and the influence abroad of this year’s expo all surpassed the previous ones. This year’s expo were commonly praised by all parties, the overall results of the expo have exceeded our expectations. This year’s expo have played a positive role in building China-CEEC economic and trade platform, improved international communication and cooperation level of Zhejiang Province and accelerated the construction of Ningbo Port economy circle.

The Second China-CEEC Economic and Trade Promotion Ministerial Conference Site

New Breakthrough of Bilateral Investment

Chinese Enterprises Enthusiastically Follow the Going-out Strategy by Launching 240 Investment Projects

       During this year’s China-CEEC expo, a series of meetings such as investment cooperation fair, cooperation seminar for chamber of commerce, and enterprises mutual communication conference were held one after another. In the pragmatic mutual communication between Chinese and foreign parties centering on 240 China-CEEC cooperation projects, Ningbo enterprises signed 28 projects with CEEC on the conference. With a total amount of 350 million US dollar, these projects contains 12 bilateral investment projects involving areas like warehouse logistics, real estate, electric power industry, tourism, farming, information technology and kitchenware manufacturing. The investment destinations including Central and Eastern European countries like Romania, Hungary, Poland and Czech. All parties also signed 22 projects on the cooperation seminar for chamber of commerce, involving product sales agency of fasteners, wine, floor and milk.

“Zhidou” urban micro and short-distance pure electric vehicle Attracted Foreign Businesspersons’ Attraction - Photo by Tian Guolei

       In addition, for the convenience of bilateral investment contact, we also established Ningbo – CEEC Ningbo Business Cooperation Liaison Office for Chamber of Commerce, Hungary National Trading Firm Ningbo Representative Office, Latvia Investment Development Agency Ningbo Representative Office and other agencies.

       As the springboard to enter the European market, central and eastern European countries are becoming the “New Continent” for Chinese enterprises to going abroad with its geographical advantages and cheap local manufacturing costs. According to statistics from the Ningbo Business Committee, investment by Ningbo enterprises in CEEC had a 28.5 times year-on-year growth in 2015. Ningbo solar energy equipment manufacturing companies like Risen Energy Co., Ltd and Ningbo Ulica Solar Science ＆ Technology Co., Ltd developed solar power stations in countries like Bulgaria and Romania respectively and they turned over near 200 million USD. Ningbo Joyson Electronic Corp. also established automobile fitting factories in central and eastern European countries like Romania and Poland via its subsidiary - Germany Preh Group. Up to the end of 2015, there are 114 bilateral investment projects between Ningbo and CEEC, among the highest in the country.

 

       According to statistics from the Ministry of Commerce, Chinese enterprises already have more than 5 billion USD of investment in CEEC, while CEEC have more than 1.2 billion USD of investment in China. Those investments involving areas including machine, chemical engineering, telecom, new energy resources, finance, agriculture, environment protection and automobile parts. The two parties also had tremendous breakthrough on infrastructure cooperation.

Consumers are purchasing central and eastern European Featured Products – photo by Tian Guolei

Trade Exhibitions Have Made New Progress

There have been 14 CEEC national pavilions, and it was the first time to establish hi-tech exhibition area

 

       The CEEC featured products exhibition is one of the highlights in this expo with 690 exhibitors in 268 enterprises from 16 central and eastern European countries. With 5,000 sqm exhibition area and 282 stands (15% increased than last year), tens of thousands of featured products including food, general merchandise and handicrafts from 16 central and eastern European countries were exhibited in the expo. More than 1,000 specialized dealers and buyers went to the exhibition to hold trade talks and make purchase. They made deals and reached intent for business worth 26 million USD. Most of the CEEC exhibitors consider that this exhibition obtained obvious result and they will continue to attend the next expo.

       The 64-year Tomislav Surmik has continuously attended the expo for two years. Moreover, he also organized CEEC enterprises from Slovenia, Macedonia, Bosnian and Herzegovina to attend the expo jointly. The Slovenia featured products pavilion facilitated by Mr. Surmik also opened during the expo.

Spot interview of distributor from mid-east Europe - photographed by Tian Guolei

 

       As the economic and trade cooperation between China and CEEC heat up constantly, central and eastern European businessperson like Tomislav Surmik crowded into Ningbo. During this year’s expo, apart from Slovenia featured products pavilion, 8 CEEC national featured product pavilions including Bosnia and Herzegovina pavilion, Hungary pavilion, Latvia pavilion, Macedonia pavilion, Romania pavilion, Serbia pavilion and the Baltic Sea pavilion also started their business. Hitherto, there have been 14 CEEC national featured product pavilions which exhibit their featured products and sell them from Ningbo to whole Chinese market.

       The debut of China-CEEC high-tech cooperation exhibition attracted exhibitors from 18 high-tech enterprises including State Power Investment Corporation, CRRC Corporation Limited and China Certification and Inspection Group together with Slovenia high-tech enterprises. The classy exhibits include nuclear power technology, railway technology, intelligent stage, glasses-free 3D technology, 3D face recognition system, smart city administration system and so on. Among those exhibits, advanced products and technology like CAP1400 - the largest advanced passive PWR nuclear power plant in the world, which was exhibited by State Power Investment Corporation, and “Zhidou” urban micro and short-distance pure electric vehicle aroused wide concern from the CEEC.

All Parties Had New Consensus on the Forum Conference

“Quality Supervision Dialogue” and the Report of Ningbo Speed Up Bilateral Pragmatic Cooperation

 

       On 8 June, the first China-CEEC Cooperation Dialogue on Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine was held in Ningbo. With the central topic of “trade facilitation and cooperation on digital certification”, this dialogue aimed at building a “cooperative, convenient and win-win” China-CEEC quality supervision partnership. China-CEEC Cooperation Dialogue on Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (digital certification and trade facilitation) proposal was discussed and adopted on this dialogue. Implementation of digital certification is one of the significant measures by General Administration of Quality Supervision to crack down fake certification, prevent trade fraud and guarantee the quality of import and export products, it also brings convenience to bilateral trade and promotes customs passing speed.

       With the theme of “Stand on a new starting point, open up new prospect of‘16+1 economic and trade cooperation’”, the Second Ministerial Conference of China and Central and Eastern European Countries on Promoting Trade and Economic Cooperation which was held on 9 June discussed on important topics such as “Develop featured products, cultivate new growth point for bilateral trade”. Report on the Second Ministerial Conference of China and Central and Eastern European Countries on Promoting Trade and Economic Cooperation in Ningbo was adopted on this conference unanimously. All parties reached an agreement on “Expand areas of cooperation, boost investment facilitation, resist trade protectionism and enhance cooperation on infrastructure construction”.

A foreign child is trying out Hungarian passenger-carrying drone – Photo by Tian Guolei

 

       Gao Hucheng, China’s Minister of Commerce, pointed out in his host speech that since the establishment of China-CEEC cooperation mechanism, it has become an important platform and support for China and CEEC to conduct bilateral cooperation. The 13th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development of China provides precious opportunities and benefits for deepening pragmatic cooperation between China and CEEC. China is ready to work with CEEC to integrate “One Belt One Road” with the national development strategies of CEEC, to promote effect and quality of China-CEEC cooperation, and form an opening, cooperative, comprehensive and balanced win-win situation.

 

       Moreover, Outline for China-CEEC Regional Capacity Cooperation and People-to-People Exchange was also adopted on the Second China-CEEC Governor and Mayor Forum. Topics as enhancing investment information communication, promoting cooperation between small and middle sized enterprises, expanding the investment subjects and resources access and deepening cooperation on important industries like infrastructure construction, high-tech and logistics were discussed on the third Contact Mechanism Meeting for Investment Promotion Agencies of China and Central and Eastern European Countries and China-CEEC Overseas Chinese Groups and Businesspersons Ningbo Summit respectively.

 

People-to-People Exchanges Promote New Integration

Varied Activities From the Guest of Honor Hungary, CEEC Cooperation Research Institute was Unveiled

 

       ““Amity between people holds the key to sound relations between states”. As the only guest of honor of this year’s expo, Hungary offered a cultural feast to Chinese people: “The Real World”, a theme exhibition by famous young Hungarian Budapest-based photographer Mrs. Flóra Borsi; handicrafts exhibited by NESZ (Folk Arts Association) who devoted itself into traditional handicraft techniques inheritance; food, music and folk theme activities which help Chinese people to experience Hungarian culture by themselves.

 

       ““Among 16 Central and Eastern European countries, Hungary was the first one to establish diplomatic relations with China.” Levente Horvath, Hungarian consul general in Shanghai, told the reporter that as early as 6 October, 1949, the 6th day of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Hungary has established formal diplomatic relations with China. There is deep friendship with long history between Hungary and China. Hungary was the first country to respond to President Xi Jinping’s “One Belt One Road” strategy, and was also the first European country to sign that memorandum.

CEEC Featured Product Exhibition Attracts Tens of Thousands Visitors – Photo by Tian Guolei

      For two years in a row, the Central and Eastern European cultural and arts exchange activities preserved time and space ties between the Chinese people and the Central and Eastern European people. “Central and Eastern European Friendship Windmill” is exhibited on Ningbo Cultural Plaza, which implied meaning that the friendship between China and the Central and Eastern European countries is tight and dynamic.

 

In education, all parties signed 18 education cooperation agreements and established CEEC student special scholarships. Ningbo China-CEEC Cooperation Research Institute was unveiled. This is the first professional think tank concerning issue of China-CEEC cooperation. So far, the institute is positively arranging the construction of China-CEEC Cooperation Big Data Information Center. In tourism, we will continue to promote the “hundreds of groups with thousands of tourists travel to the Central and Eastern Europe” activity. Last year, there had been 80 groups with 2,125 tourists went to the Central and Eastern Europe for holiday. This year the number is expected to double. For the twin cities cooperation, Ningbo has established friendly relations with 20 cities in 16 Central and Eastern European countries. Ningbo is the first city in China to have twin cities in all Central and Eastern European countries.

During the China-CEEC Investment and Trade Expo, EDC provided simultaneous interpretation service to 10 conferences with high quality as the simultaneous interpretation service provider. EDC also developed international language talents service platform for the China-CEEC Investment and Trade Expo. Our service was highly praised by state leaders of China and 16 Central and Eastern European countries and all guests.

Simultaneous Interpretation of the China (Ningbo) – CEEC Cooperation Seminar for Chamber of Commerce

Simultaneous Interpretation of the China (Ningbo) – CEEC Educational Cooperation Conference

Simultaneous Interpretation of the China-CEEC Cooperation Dialogue on Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine

Simultaneous Interpretation of the Contact Mechanism Meeting for Investment Promotion Agencies of China and Central and Eastern European Countries

Experienced Simultaneous interpreter deliver the charm of Ningbo to guest from Mid-east Europe through their precise work

Chen Yueming, member of the Recruitment Program of Global Experts, was taking photo with Mr. Li Qiang, then the Zhejiang Province provincial governor

We provide language service to merchants through Central and Eastern European Language Talents Service Network

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