Xinhua Headlines: Beyond expo floor: how China contributes to future of global trade
* As global trade faces mounting headwinds -- from U.S. tariffs to supply chain fragmentation -- international businesses are making a calculated pivot: China is no longer just a growth market, but a strategic safe harbor.。
* From trade floor to future-oriented forum, the 4th China-Central and Eastern European Countries Expo & International Consumer Goods Fair in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, demonstrated China's dual role as both a gateway for commerce and a nexus for global innovation.。
by Xinhua writer Liu Bowei。
NINGBO, China, May 25 (Xinhua) -- As global trade buckles under escalating protectionism and geopolitical volatility, multinational corporations are deepening their commitments to China -- betting on its structural resilience and unrivaled long-term growth potential.。
The just-concluded 4th China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) Expo & International Consumer Goods Fair in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, underscored a pivotal shift in global commerce: Beyond its core participants from Central and Eastern Europe, the event drew first-time exhibitors from Britain, France and Germany -- clear testimony to the fact that China's market has become a strategic imperative, not merely an opportunity, for international businesses.。
People queue up to visit the Digital and Smart Manufacturing of CEEC exhibition area of the 4th China-CEEC Expo & International Consumer Goods Fair in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, May 22. 2025. (Xinhua/Jiang Han)。
BET ON CHINA。
The four-day event gathered 435 exhibitors and over 3,000 overseas buyers, showcasing more than 8,000 products ranging from wine and cheese to smart agricultural tech and photovoltaic components.。
For first-time participants, the expo was not just a showcase, but a gateway into one of the world's most resilient and innovation-driven economies. As global uncertainties rise, China's blend of consumer demand, supply chain depth, and policy stability is making it an irreplaceable hub for businesses betting on long-term growth.。
"We're not in the Chinese market yet, and that is why we came, to look for a distributor who can bring us in," said Igor Lakatos from Slovakia's Spirit Company S.R.O.。
Expressing confidence in the mutual trust fostered by such platforms, CEO of Albania's Expo Group Fabian Dajcaj said that this trust could reshape cross-border consumer habits.。
"In the future, you might shop online from our country as easily as you do at home," he added.。
His optimism was echoed by returning participants who have already proved that the model works.。
"The Chinese market is full of potential," said Pavlou Christos, marketing director of the East China region of Greek company Zachanas Winery S.A., a regular attendee since the expo's first edition. "Over the years, we've seen real business results."。
"The Chinese market is very attractive, even though it's geographically far away. But we see quite a potential for our companies," said Urska Bencina, undersecretary at SPIRIT Slovenia Business Development Agency.。
Her agency has joined all four editions of the expo. Voicing satisfaction with the "strong response" from the expo, she said, "they have secured new deals."。
As global trade faces mounting headwinds -- from U.S. tariffs to supply chain fragmentation -- international businesses are making a calculated pivot: China is no longer just a growth market, but a strategic safe harbor.。
"Such tariffs are bad for both economies," said an exhibitor from Bulgaria. "Trade should be free between countries to really prosper the economy."。
Jakub Kutyla from AVA Cosmetic Laboratory, a Polish brand with over 60 years of history, said his company is actively seeking new markets and the Chinese market stands out for both its openness and stability.。
Foreign guests interact with a Unitree humanoid robot at the 4th China-CEEC Expo & International Consumer Goods Fair in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, May 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Zheng Keyi)。
FUTURE-ORIENTED COOPERATION。
This year's event marked a strategic evolution -- transforming from a transactional marketplace into a launchpad for future-focused cooperation. Beyond signing contracts, participants forged partnerships in both trade and innovation.。
This year's expo delivered tangible wins for Central and Eastern Europe, with Bulgaria's prized saffron and Croatia's premium tuna joining China's approved import list -- bringing the total to 126 CEEC food products now cleared for Chinese consumers.。
Streamlined approvals and efficient customs processes have helped once-niche products like Polish amber beer and Latvian canned fish now flow seamlessly to Chinese households.。
In 2024, China-CEEC trade rose 6.3 percent annually to 142.27 billion U.S. dollars, outpacing China's overall trade growth and reinforcing the value of deeper cooperation.。
"As the world undergoes unprecedented transformations ... no country can find success by maneuvering them on their own," said Meira Hot, vice-president of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia.。
She added that shared development through cooperation is becoming a common aspiration.。
Many participants looked beyond goods trading, focusing instead on sustainable technologies, advanced manufacturing and innovation as the next frontier of cooperation with China.。
SUN Powered Systems came seeking a cable manufacturer for photovoltaic agricultural machines, aiming for long-term growth, said representative Robert Demko.。
Under the theme "New Visions for the Future," this year's expo highlighted emerging sectors. Attendees interacted with cutting-edge innovations, such as humanoid robots from the Chinese company Unitree Robotics.。
"It's just amazing to see how the technology is developing in the world," said Laszlo Stundl, a professor at Hungary's University of Debrecen. He sees particular potential in applying robotics to agriculture amid labor shortages.。
The event also served as a springboard for academic cooperation. Tomas Brestovic, a professor at the Technical University of Kosice in Slovakia, introduced a low-pressure hydrogen storage system suited for public transport. He said his visit to Ningbo is aimed at student exchanges and joint research with 17 universities.。
From trade floor to future-oriented forum, the expo demonstrated China's dual role as both a gateway for commerce and a nexus for global innovation.。
(Video reporters: Song Lifeng, Liu Mingxiang; video editors: Wu Yao, Hui Peipei)■。
(责任编辑:休闲)
-
记者4月10日从中国建设银行得悉,建设银行活跃推进股票回购增持借款事务落地,到现在,建设银行已服务上市公司及其首要股东近70户,包括国企、央企、民企等企业,触及深交所、上交所、北交所客户,供给近140 ...[详细]
-
年光光阴不负,未来可期。在学校党委、校长室的高度注重和科学辅导下,在高一年级部整体教师的共同尽力下,合肥市庐阳高级中学2023级高一重生现已褪去了入学时的懵懂,逐步习惯高中日子,建立高中学习方针,尽力 ...[详细]
-
2023年12月1日是第36个“国际艾滋病日”,本年我国“国际艾滋病日”宣扬活动的主题为“凝集社会力气,合力共抗艾滋”。为进一步推进全社会一起参加,方针一致地一起抗击艾滋病,保护人民群众身体健康和生命 ...[详细]
-
合肥市长江路幼儿园教育集团天成分园:玩转多彩野外,动出健康体魄——野外游戏体验式教研活动
幼儿园野外游戏活动是幼儿园课程施行的重要活动方法,是促进幼儿全面调和展开的首要途径,怎么从幼儿的视角看待游戏,体会幼儿游戏的所思所想,走进幼儿游戏的内心世界,与幼儿产生共鸣,2023年11月28日合肥 ...[详细]
-
武汉地铁书香阛阓玩出新花样 “地铁读城”集章打卡勾勒武汉城市文明地图
荆楚网湖北日报网)讯通讯员 黄彦)4月10日,冷艳露脸春晚武汉分会场的光谷星河广场之下、亚洲最大综合体光谷广场3万平米的环形站厅热闹非凡,恰逢“书香我国万里行·武汉站”活动展开期间,第十三届武汉地铁读 ...[详细]
-
四季轩中餐厅。以今日食材,重现古法甘旨。匠心复原南宋《山家清供》的饮食理念。甄选食材 融入技法 打造佳品。【蟹酿橙】。制造精密。橙开盖。剜出果瓤,橙体制成橙盅待用。蟹蒸熟。取出蟹黄、蟹肉,煸炒出香。将 ...[详细]
-
极目新闻记者 肖杨。上午7点半,武汉市武钢三中00后教师刘若曦早早来到武汉市钢城第十六中学高考考点,为她所带的第一届高三学生送考。从华中师范大学公费师范生结业后,她进入钢三成为一名生物教师,这是她完好 ...[详细]
-
浙江武义十里荷花物种园里。10株并蒂莲含苞待放。1335万人今天高考。“好运莲莲×10”送给考生。愿全部尽力都有报答!高考加油! ...[详细]
-
【“我国行记”第一季㉒】成都采耳太“上头”!让外国人沉浸的中式耳道SPA有多爽?
“这感觉也太爽了”。“像是在给我施魔法”。让美国网红“甲亢哥”等一众外国博主在体会后连连惊叹的采耳究竟是啥?为何让人骑虎难下 如此“上头”?这么特别的中式耳道SPA。你不想体会一下吗?总策划:吴晓虹。 ...[详细]
-
极目新闻记者 姚赟。6月7日上午8时30分,间隔首场高考考试还有半小时,在北京市第四中学考点门口,考生们已陆陆续续进入考场做准备。极目新闻记者在现场看到,有家长专门穿上旗袍送考,期望孩子能马到成功。一 ...[详细]