The upcoming China-CEEC Expo and International Consumer Goods Fair will promote trade and cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC).
The 4th China-CEEC Expo and International Consumer Goods Fair will be held in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province from May 22 to May 25 this year.
The business gathering will showcase over 8,000 products from the Central and Eastern Europe with a focus on sectors such as the low-altitude economy, artificial intelligence, and the food industry,
Lu Shan, vice governor of Zhejiang Province, briefed the media on the event in Beijing on Friday.
"(This year,) the exhibition area, the number of exhibitors, and quantity of exhibits have all hit record highs. We expect around 15,000 professional visitors, including more than 3,000 buyers from overseas," Lu said.
Officials say the expo has become a key platform for trade and cooperation with Europe. In addition to CEE countries, this year's expo also draws exhibitors from nine other European nations, including Britain, France and Germany.
As the host city since 2019, Ningbo says it has been fully prepared to welcome guests from near and far.
"At present, preparations are almost complete. I warmly invite friends from all sectors to come to Ningbo and explore new opportunities for the future," said Tang Feifan, mayor of Ningbo.
Trade between China and CEE countries stood at 142 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, up 6.3 percent from the previous year, and strong and stable China-Europe ties are especially valuable amid mounting global uncertainties, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said.
"China is ready to work with the European side to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of both sides, improve the quality and efficiency of bilateral trade and investment, resolve differences in economic and trade areas through dialogue, maintain the security and stability of the industrial and supply chains, expand cooperation in green and digital sectors, jointly uphold multilateralism and free trade, and strengthen coordination on multilateral issues such as climate change and reforms to the World Trade Organization so as to inject more stability and positive energy into China-EU relations and contribute to global economic recovery," said Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Yan Dong.
Upcoming China-CEEC Expo to promote trade, cooperation between two sides
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
