02.06.2026 / APACCCEEC’s Director participated in forums in China

From May 25 to 28, 2026, Dr. Momchil Stanishev, Director of APACCCEEC, visited Shandong Province, China, where he participated in the Seventh China-CEEC Local Leaders’ Meeting and the Third Council Meeting of the China-CEEC Modern Agricultural Science and Education Innovation Alliance.

On May 25, 2026, Dr. Stanishev participated in the Council Meeting of China -CEEC Modern Agricultural Science and Education Innovation Alliance, during which 12 new members joined the Alliance, including Trakia Economic Zone (TEZ) located in the Plovdiv region. The other new members are representatives from China and Hungary. During the meeting, the Jinan Initiative was also announced under the motto “Working Together for Smart and Sustainable Agriculture”.  Reflecting the profound transformation and modernization of agriculture on a global scale, the initiative demonstrates the Alliance’s commitment to promoting joint innovation in the sector.

On May 26, 2026, the Seventh China-CEE Local Leaders’ Meeting opened in Jinan, attended by approximately 400 guests from 44 countries, including current and former political leaders, provincial and municipal officials, diplomats, as well as representatives of sister cities and companies across various sectors. The forum focused on the development of the digital economy in the context of modern agriculture, with participants exploring new opportunities for cooperation. During the opening ceremony, political leaders from Central and Eastern Europe highlighted the importance of deepening the cooperation with China and emphasized the need for constructive dialogue and long-term partnership.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Shen Yiqin, State Councilor of the People’s Republic of China, noted that over the past 14 years, cooperation between China and the CEE has yielded clear and fruitful results and has advanced bilateral ties, regional cooperation, and relations between China and the EU. Ms. Shen called on the countries to prioritize green innovation. Representatives from North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia also delivered remarks.

The forum featured a presentation of specialty agricultural products from Central and Eastern Europe, including Bulgarian rose oil and honey, Slovak chocolate, Czech beer and wine, Romanian olive oil, and Polish dairy products. In addition to Dr. Momchil Stanishov, Prof. Petar Mandaliev, a representative of the Trakia Economic Zone, also participated in the meeting on the Bulgarian side.

Immediately following the opening of the 7th China-CEEC Local Leaders’ Meeting in Jinan, the 3rd Annual Meeting of the China-CEE Alliance for Innovation in Modern Agricultural Science and Education was also launched. The meeting began with official remarks by representatives from China and the CEE region and continued with an awards ceremony recognizing the achievements of Alliance members.

The meeting opened with a welcoming address by Prof. Leng Changjian, President of Shandong Agricultural University and Secretary-General of the Alliance. Also participating in the opening ceremony were Mr. Song Junji, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Shandong Provincial People’s Congress; Mr. Ren Youqun, Vice Minister of Education of the People’s Republic of China; Prof. Dr. Nikos Papaioannou, Vice Minister of Education and Religious Affairs of Greece, who joined the ceremony via video link, as well as Mr. Chen Guoyou, Special Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China for Cooperation Affairs with CEEC, Mr. Clemens Simon William, Deputy Director of World Food Programme China Office; Mr. Yu Yang, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Education Association for International Exchange; and Ms. Zhang Ran, Secretary of the Party Committee of Shandong Agricultural University.

Immediately following the opening, an awards ceremony was held, during which Dr. Momchil Stanishev, Director of APACCCEEC, presented plaques to the new members of the China-CEEC Modern Agricultural Science and Education Innovation Alliance. During the Alliance’s Third Meeting, a Digital Agriculture Innovation Platform was also launched, along with two joint laboratories—the China-Greece Laboratory for Smart and Sustainable Agriculture and the China-Serbia Laboratory on Grain Loss Reduction and Agricultural Technology-Driven Poverty Alleviaton.

Two thematic sessions were held during the Alliance meeting—the first session was dedicated to topics such as food safety and reducing food waste, while the second session focused on innovation and the development of smart and sustainable agriculture. Academic representatives from China, Greece, Serbia, Hungary, and Slovakia participated as speakers in the sessions.

The following day, May 27, 2026, Dr. Stanishev, Director of APACCCEEC, visited a rabbit breeding facility in Liaocheng, Shandong Province, as well as the modern agro-industrial park of the Xinfa Group conglomerate. During his visit, Dr. Stanishev toured modern vertical strawberry farming systems in greenhouses, smart cherry planting technologies, and research laboratories. The Director of APACCCEEC met with Mr. Donglin Bai, CEO of the Xinfa Group.