Central and Eastern European leaders see fresh momentum in China-CEEC ties

As over 600 delegates from China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) gathered in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province on Tuesday, one message resonated throughout the venue: in a world marked by geopolitical uncertainty and economic headwinds, partnerships built on openness and mutual trust are becoming increasingly valuable.

At the opening ceremony of the 7th China-CEEC Local Leaders' Meeting and the 2026 Shandong International Friendship Cities Cooperation (SDIFCC) and Exchange Week, political leaders from across Central and Eastern Europe pointed to growing opportunities in cooperation with China, while underscoring the importance of dialogue, openness and long-term collaboration.

For many participants, local-level exchanges have emerged as one of the most dynamic engines of China-CEEC cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to businesses, communities and ordinary people.

North Macedonia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Inter-Community Relations Ivan Stoilkovic described the theme of the event - "Shaping the Future Together" - as highly relevant in the current global landscape.

"In today's world filled with economic and global challenges, cooperation is no longer a choice, but a necessity," he said.

Describing China as an important economic partner and friendly country, Stoilkovic said North Macedonia sees enormous potential for deeper cooperation in infrastructure investment, technology, tourism, education and cultural exchanges.

He stressed that local and regional cooperation can serve as a driving force for a new cycle of development, noting that the strongest bonds are often built between people, cities and communities.

His remarks reflected a broader sentiment shared by many officials at the forum: that practical cooperation and mutual respect remain essential foundations for stable international relations.

Serbia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Adrijana Mesarovic said cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries has demonstrated that lasting China-CEEC partnerships are built on mutual trust, respect and shared development.

Mesarovic pointed to the close ties between Serbia and China as a vivid example of such cooperation, describing bilateral relations as an "iron-clad friendship" strengthened through long-term strategic trust and practical collaboration.

"The friendship between our two countries is not only reflected in economic cooperation, but also in the mutual respect and trust we share," she said.

Over the past 12 years, Chinese investment in Serbia has surpassed 7.2 billion euros, helping create around 38,000 jobs across sectors including mining, energy, automobile manufacturing, metal processing and electronics, according to Mesarovic.

She also highlighted the significance of the China-Serbia free trade agreement, calling it a major step forward for Serbia's economic development and an important opportunity for Serbian companies seeking greater access to the Chinese market.

Looking ahead, Mesarovic said Serbia hopes to deepen cooperation with China in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), green energy, the digital economy and smart industries.

Echoing a broader consensus shared by regional leaders, Vice President of the Parliament of Montenegro Mirsad Nurkovic noted that relations with China have long been guided by the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual understanding and non-interference in internal affairs, which he described as the foundation of all stable and sincere international cooperation.

Marinko Cavara, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, also stressed that the unique strength of Bosnia and Herzegovina's cooperation with China lies in mutual respect, mutual understanding and equal treatment. 

He said such principles have enabled bilateral relations to remain stable and steadily advance despite changes in the global landscape.

Bringing global partnerships closer to people

For Bosnia and Herzegovina, local cooperation has become a key channel for translating broader diplomatic ties into concrete development outcomes.

Cavara highlighted infrastructure projects, including the Ivovik wind farm and highway construction, as examples of how cooperation with China is strengthening regional connectivity and creating long-term opportunities in his country.

"These projects are not only about building roads and bridges," he said. "They are laying foundations for future development and market integration."

He also noted that China's assistance during natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic helped deepen mutual trust, while the visa-free agreement signed in 2018 further boosted people-to-people exchanges and business ties.

Cavara pointed to the sister-city relationship between his hometown of Busovaca and Zhenjiang in east China's Jiangsu Province as an example of how local cooperation goes beyond formal agreements.

Such partnerships, he said, reflect a shared commitment to openness and common development through closer connections between institutions and people. "Practical cooperation in areas such as business support, tourism development and youth exchanges has helped bring international cooperation into people's daily lives."

As discussions throughout the forum showed, many CEE leaders see cooperation with China not only as an opportunity for economic growth, but also as a source of stability and certainty in a rapidly changing world.

Montenegro's Nurkovic said cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries demonstrates that openness and multilateralism remain powerful drivers of stability and prosperity.

Despite geographical distance and different development paths, countries share a strong and genuine desire for connectivity, dialogue and partnership, he said.

Importantly, Nurkovic stressed that Montenegro's partnership with China and its European integration process are "not contradictory," arguing that cooperation with different partners contributes to shared development and regional stability.

The North Macedonia's deputy prime minister also described the China-CEEC cooperation platform as a vivid example of how dialogue, mutual respect and shared visions can create new opportunities for all sides amid growing global challenges.