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
China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Fu Cong on Friday called for advancing an inclusive political transition in Syria.
The international community widely expects Syria to eliminate armed conflicts, restore order, establish inclusive governance and ensure equal rights through a political transition, said Fu at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Syria at the UN headquarters in New York City.
China calls on all parties in Syria to focus on the greater interests of the people, show mutual tolerance, and resolve tensions and differences through extensive dialog and consultation, he told the Security Council.
The key to keeping Syria stable is rooting out the scourge of terrorism, said Fu.
While the overall level of violence in the country has come down, the security situation remains fragile. Terrorist groups entrenched in Syria frequently cause trouble, seriously threatening peace and security both in Syria and the region, he said.
"We call on the Syrian transitional government to fulfill its international obligations, translate its political commitments into concrete policies and actions, and take all effective measures to combat with a firm hand all international terrorist groups listed by the Security Council, including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement," said Fu.
The restoration of peace and development in Syria cannot be achieved without a stable external environment. The international community should uphold the UN Charter and the basic norms of international relations and support the maintenance of Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity. The Golan Heights is internationally recognized as an occupied territory of Syria. Israel should cease all military operations on Syrian soil and withdraw without delay from Syrian territory, he said.
Currently, tensions persist in the Middle East and are spilling over in a way that seriously imperils regional peace and stability. Given the current context, it is incumbent on the international community to help Syria preserve the largely stable situation in the country and prevent the spillover of the regional conflict that may trigger even greater upheaval in Syria, said Fu.
Fu said that Syria has a weak economic foundation, a massive backlog of humanitarian needs, and formidable challenges to sustainable development. The international community should increase humanitarian and development assistance to Syria, so that every Syrian can live a life of dignity.
China remains committed to working with the international community in a constructive role to help Syria achieve security and development, and to help restore peace and stability to the region as early as possible, he said.
Chinese envoy urges advancing political transition in Syria
