Editor's note: Lin G. is a CGTN economic commentator. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of CGTN.

As President of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini visits Beijing, China and Slovakia are demonstrating that their economic partnership is entering a new stage shaped not only by trade, but by the ability to build industries together.

The Gotion-InoBat Batteries gigafactory in Surany, Slovakia's first large-scale battery manufacturing facility, embodies this transformation. At first glance, it may appear to be just another Chinese investment in Europe's electric vehicle supply chain. However, it represents something more significant: Slovakia's determination to transform itself from one of the world's leading producers of conventional automobiles into a key player in Europe's electric mobility revolution.

Over the past two decades, Slovakia has established itself as one of Europe's leading automotive manufacturing hubs. Despite a population of only around 5.4 million, it remains the world's largest car producer on a per capita basis. Global automakers including Volkswagen, Kia, Stellantis and Jaguar Land Rover have built major manufacturing operations in the country, making the automotive industry a cornerstone of Slovakia's economy.

Yet this success has also created a new challenge. As the global automotive industry shifts from traditional engines to electric vehicles, batteries have become the strategic foundation of the new auto industry. Without large-scale battery manufacturing capabilities, even the most established automotive manufacturing hubs risk losing their competitive edge in the next generation.

This is where cooperation with China becomes important. China has built the world's most comprehensive battery supply chain, backed by large-scale commercial deployment. For economies seeking to accelerate the transition toward electric mobility, cooperation with China offers not only investment, but also industrial know-how.

The Gotion-InoBat Batteries gigafactory is a clear example of what that cooperation can achieve. Covering 65 hectares, the project will initially deliver 20 GWh of annual production capacity. Trial production is scheduled to start in 2026, followed by planned commercial operations in 2027. Designated as a national strategic investment by the Slovak government, it is expected to create at least 1,300 direct jobs in its first phase while attracting materials suppliers, equipment manufacturers and related services to the region.

Slovakia has been actively pursuing a transition toward electric mobility as it seeks to maintain its position in the European automotive industry. Through successive updates to its Action Plan for the Development of Electromobility, the country has promoted electrification, expanded charging infrastructure and encouraged investment in battery manufacturing. Yet industrial transformation requires more than policy commitments. It also depends on technology, capital, integrated supply chains and manufacturing expertise. This is where cooperation with China can play an important role, connecting Slovakia's established automotive foundation with China's strengths in the new energy industry.

This model reflects a broader evolution in China-Europe economic cooperation. Rather than simply exporting products into overseas markets, Chinese companies are working with international partners to create shared value. The balanced structure of China-Slovakia trade reflects this partnership. In 2025, Chinese exports to Slovakia totaled $4.39 billion, while imports reached $4.24 billion, demonstrating two-way exchange rather than imbalance.

If new energy is at the heart of China-Slovakia industrial cooperation, connectivity is the foundation that supports it across borders.

Slovakia's greatest advantage lies in its geography. Often described as the "Heart of Europe," the country sits at the crossroads of major transportation routes connecting eastern, western, northern and southern Europe. Its highway and railway networks are closely integrated with pan-European transport corridors, while the Danube River provides additional inland waterway capacity. These advantages have helped Slovakia attract multinational automakers seeking efficient access to European markets.

Within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, China-Europe Railway Express services have created a reliable land-based connection between China and Slovakia, offering an efficient logistics option. Compared with ocean shipping, which can take several months, regular China-Europe Railway Express routes significantly shorten delivery times for industrial goods while providing more stable conditions.

At a time when parts of the global economy face mounting uncertainty, Slovakia's experience offers a valuable perspective. Industrial competitiveness is not preserved by closing markets or fragmenting supply chains, but by embracing partnerships that combine complementary strengths. For a country seeking to maintain its position as one of Europe's automotive leaders while adapting to the electric future, cooperation with China has become an accelerator.

Slovak President Pellegrini's visit to China comes at a moment when both countries are looking beyond traditional trade toward long-term industrial collaboration. For Slovakia, the transition from Europe's "Detroit" to one of Europe's emerging battery hubs is a strategic choice about where the country intends to stand in the next generation of global manufacturing. Through cooperation with China, Slovakia is turning this ambition into reality.

(Cover via VCG)