Exploring stories behind the 4th China-CEEC Expo

As a "frontline window" for innovative dialogue between China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, the 4th China-CEEC Expo, scheduled from May 22 to 25, serves not only as a showcase for cutting-edge technologies but also as a testament to the achievements of 13 years of China-CEE cooperation. Let’s delve into the partnership between Ningbo and CEE nations to uncover the deeper logic behind this grand event.

In 2018, Ningbo launched the "Science and Technology Innovation 2025" Major Special Project Plan. Aimed at enhancing Ningbo’s competitive edge in scientific and technological innovation while driving high-quality development, the plan focuses on leading-edge industries such as new energy vehicles and graphene. It also seeks to attract national-level platforms, like technology innovation centers, to establish a presence in the city.

Supported by this initiative, the China-CEEC industrial park was officially inaugurated on June 10, 2020. Additionally, the China CEE Innovation Cooperation Research Center, a national-level platform proposed by President Xi Jinping at the China-CEEC Summit, was unveiled in Ningbo in 2022. By August 2024, the number of two-way investment projects between Ningbo and CEE countries had reached 196. Ningbo's outbound investments in the region mainly target its advantageous industries, including auto parts and high-end equipment. 

Today, Ningbo is accelerating its transformation into a trillion-yuan "New Energy Vehicle Hub," offering vast opportunities for cooperation with CEE nations. Zhenyu Technology, a Ningbo-based auto parts manufacturer and supplier to CATL, announced in 2023 its plan to build a European production base for precision new energy battery components in Hungary, attracted by the region’s robust industrial ecosystem, favorable policies and skilled labor force.

Joyson Electronics, a leading player in Ningbo's automotive and parts industry, has established 10 factories across six CEE countries—Romania, Hungary, Poland, North Macedonia, and Croatia—through its wholly-owned subsidiary Preh in Germany, employing over 10,000 local staff. In 2022, Geely Auto, a leading automobile manufacturer based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, entered a strategic partnership with Grand Automotive in Hungary, facilitating the export of its Geometry C electric vehicles to Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, thus marking Geely’s entry into the EU market. As Chinese automakers like Geely expand overseas, numerous upstream and downstream enterprises in Ningbo stand to benefit, fostering an intertwined relationship with CEE countries within the extensive automotive supply chain.

Slovakia, one of the guest countries of honor at this expo, ranks among the world's top countries in per capita car production and boasts a robust industrial base in aluminum die-casting, injection molding machines, and bearings. This positions it as an ideal partner for Ningbo’s emerging automakers, such as Zeekr, a Chinese automobile company, seeking localized procurement in Europe. Meanwhile, Hungary, with investments from Chinese EV battery giants like CATL and BYD, offers closer access for Ningbo’s suppliers to the CEE market.

For CEE enterprises, Ningbo’s strong consumer market and solid manufacturing foundation make it an attractive long-term investment destination. In 2023, Ningbo Bulgarhua Biomaterials Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned Bulgarian project, was established in the China-CEEC industrial park in Yuyao, Ningbo. Desislav, the project leader specializing in biodegradable materials, was drawn to Yuyao, renowned as the "China Plastics City," by its favorable business environment, supportive talent policies, and opportunities for industrial integration.​

In October last year, VR Park, the largest virtual reality theme park in CEE, partnered with the Ningbo Science Exploration Center to open the VR Park Ningbo store. The store achieved remarkable success during its soft opening over the National Day holiday, attracting more than 1,500 visitors in just three days.

The cooperation between Ningbo and CEE countries has evolved far beyond mere supply-demand transactions, transforming into a profound integration of innovative ecosystems. On May 22, as the expo commences, the "secrets of cooperation" embedded in laboratories, production lines, and policy documents will materialize into robotic displays,  agreements, and insightful discussions, narrating a unique Eastern story of "mutually beneficial innovation" to the world.