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JINAN, May 26 (FENA) – China's Shandong Province is hosting the 7th China-CEEC Local Leaders' Meeting (cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries) and the 2026 Shandong International Friendship Cities Cooperation and Exchange Week from May 25 to 29, bringing together more than 600 participants from over 40 countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Organizers say the goal is to further deepen cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries through trade, investment, infrastructure, and local partnerships.
On the sidelines of the summit, Chen Guoyou, Special Representative of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries, told FENA that China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe have long-standing friendly relations, complementary advantages, and a strong interest in cooperation and joint development.
Speaking about the role of the China-CEEC cooperation mechanism, Chen emphasized that since its launch in 2012, significant progress has been achieved in bilateral relations and economic cooperation.
According to him, trade between China and Central and Eastern European countries has been growing at an average annual rate of 8.8 percent.
He particularly highlighted cooperation in infrastructure. Among the key projects, he singled out the Hungary–Serbia railway, the Pelješac Bridge in Croatia, the Port of Piraeus in Greece, and the Mazura wind farm.
''These projects have improved regional connectivity, created new jobs, and brought benefits to local communities,'' Chen said.
He also noted that China has remained the largest trading partner of Central and Eastern European countries in agricultural products for the past 12 years, while transport connectivity has been further strengthened with more than 90 direct flights per week between China and countries in the region.
''China-CEEC cooperation has strengthened bilateral relations while also further enhancing ties between China and the European Union,'' Chen said, adding that there are currently 225 sister-city partnerships.
One of the main topics of the meeting was the future of cooperation. Asked about the key message of this year's gathering of local leaders, Chen said he would describe it in three words: openness, opportunity, and cooperation.
He emphasized that local cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries represents the most dynamic segment of the China-CEEC mechanism and an important part of overall relations.
According to Chen, China expects Central and Eastern European countries to find new cooperation opportunities through China's 2026–2030 development plan, while high-quality development will bring new momentum to a policy of a high level of openness.
''The most important message of this meeting is that China will continue expanding its policy of opening up to the world and that the doors of cooperation will be even more open to all countries,'' Chen told FENA.
This year's China-CEEC Local Leaders' Summit and the Shandong International Friendship Cities Cooperation and Exchange Week are being held under the slogan ''Shaping the Future Together''.
The summit is also attended by Marinko Čavara, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with representatives of several cities and municipalities from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
(FENA) A. B.
