25.05.2025 / APACCCEEC took part in side events at the 4th China – CEEC Expo in Ningbo, China
APACCCEEC team participated in a series of side events, including business forums, roundtables, and cultural programs, being held alongside the 4th China-CEEC Expo from 22 to 25 May 2025 in Ningbo, China.
On May 21, Dr. Momchil Stanishev, Director of APACCCEEC, Mrs. Ivet Nikolova, Commercial Counsellor of the Bulgarian General Consulate in Shanghai, and Mr. Zahari Zahariev, Expert at APACCCEEC attended the 9th Meeting of China-CEEC Business Council, organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). The meeting aimed to deepen economic and trade cooperation between China and CEEC countries while strengthening business ties among the participating nations. Discussions were focused on: China-CEEC Coordinated Development of Supply Chains” and “Cross-Border Legal Collaboration”. Key speakers included: Mr. Yu Jianlong, Vice Chairman of CCPIT, Mr. Ye Miao, Vice Mayor of the People’s Government of Ningbo Municipality, Mr. Staša Košarac, Deputy Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Atanas Zafirov, Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Ms. Jagoda Lazarević, Minister of Domestic and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Vladimír Šimoňak, State Secretary of Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic, Mr. Matevž Frangež, State Secretary of Ministry of Economy, Tourism, and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia.
In his speech, Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov emphasized improving Bulgaria-China transport connectivity, particularly a direct cargo rail link and direct Sofia-Beijing flights. He highlighted the importance of Bulgarian products accessing the Chinese market and expressed hope for “green channels” for Bulgarian imports.
Other Bulgarian attendees included: Mr. Vladislav Spasov, Consul General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Shanghai, Mr. Manol Genov, Minister of Environment and Water and H.E. Mr. Andrey Tehov, Bulgarian Ambassador to China.
On May 21, APACCCEEC team participated in another side event— “Encounters on the tip of the tongue: Central and Eastern European Cuisine and the Taste of Zhejiang – Hundred Counties and Thousand Bowls. The event gathered 100 guests from various countries, including Bulgarian representatives. In his speech, Mr. Xu Qiang, Deputy Mayor of Ningbo, highlighted how the universal language of cuisine could strengthen cooperation between Ningbo and the CEE countries. The event was moderated by Li Xingfan, Deputy Director-General of Zhejiang Province’s Department of Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism. Additional welcoming remarks were delivered by Ye Zhenbo, Vice Chairman of Zhejiang’s Political Consultative Conference; Matej Škorc, Deputy Director of Slovenia’s Directorate for Industry and Entrepreneurship; and Goran Josipović, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Youth of Serbia. The program emphasized the unique characteristics of Zhejiang’s regional cuisine and featured a rich cultural performance. Among the distinguished guests were representatives from Zhejiang’s provincial government, the Department of Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism, the Department of Commerce, the Ningbo Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government, the Jiangbei District Party Committee and District Government, as well as delegates from Central and Eastern European countries in China.
On May 22, Dr. Momchil Stanishev participated in the 7th China-CEEC Dialogue on Customs, Inspection and Quarantine Cooperation, held under the motto “Smart Customs, Safe Agri-food, Sustainable Trade.” Ambassador Jiang Yu, China’s Special Representative for CEEC Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted that China’s trade in agricultural products with CEE countries grew by 12% last year, with cooperation continuing to improve in trade, culture, science and education.
Dr. Georgi Tahov, Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Bulgaria, described the dialogue as an important step towards facilitating procedures and boosting trade. He noted that Bulgaria has completed 11 out of 39 procedures for gaining access to the Chinese market for its agricultural products, working closely with China’s General Administration of Customs. Minister Tahov emphasized that this cooperation mechanism has led to a remarkable 142.6% increase in trade between China and CEE countries from 2012 to 2022, reaching US$136.2 billion in 2021.
The minister emphasized the role of APACCCEEC as a platform for active exchange and participation of CEEC companies in Chinese exhibitions, demonstrating its effectiveness as a key instrument for promoting cooperation in agriculture and food, as well as facilitating trade in agricultural and food products through this format.
Mr. Zhao Zenglian, Vice Minister and CPC Committee Member of the General Administration of Customs of China emphasized that the China-CEEC Expo in Ningbo provides opportunities to develop new partnerships. Focusing on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the EU and China, he highlighted the importance of strategic trust, mutual understanding and cooperation between both sides.
Looking ahead, Mr. Zhao outlined key priorities including digital development, adaptation to new realities, simplified customs policies and accelerated procedures. He noted that 126 types of agricultural products from CEE countries have now obtained registration and export approval for the Chinese market.
The event and the following discussions brought together representatives from relevant ministries, inspection, and customs administrations of CEE countries. Participants explored steps to enhance procedural compatibility and build more resilient supply chains between China and CEEC.
On May 23, Dr. Iva Venkova, Expert at APACCCEEC, participated in two additional side events: a global matchmaking session dedicated to Tmall and a cross-border import matchmaking meeting.
The events featured presentations on key topics including e-commerce trends, sales channels for foreign products through Chinese online platforms, logistics solutions, and the registration process for cosmetic products in China. Participants also had opportunities for bilateral business meetings.
Several exhibitors from APACCCEEC Pavilion on the 4th China-CEEC Expo took part in these sessions, exploring new commercial opportunities on the Chinese market.
The 4th China-CEEC Expo in Ningbo featured an extensive program of side events, business sessions, and cultural exchange initiatives between China and CEE countries. Among these was the special cultural event “Discover Bulgaria Through Its Letters” held on May 24 at the exhibition center, celebrating the Day of Slavonic Alphabet, Bulgarian Enlightenment and Culture.
