More than 600 delegates from China and Central and Eastern European countries gathered in Jinan, Shandong Province, on Tuesday for the opening of the 7th China-Central and Eastern European (CEE) Local Government Cooperation Forum and the Shandong International Partner Cities Cooperation and Exchange Week 2026.
The central message of the forum was the belief that partnerships based on openness and mutual trust are becoming increasingly important in a time of geopolitical uncertainty and economic challenges.
Politicians from Central and Eastern European countries emphasized the growing opportunities for cooperation with China during the opening ceremony, while also highlighting the importance of dialogue, openness, and long-term partnerships.
Many participants agreed that cooperation at the regional and local level has become one of the most dynamic drivers of relations between China and Central and Eastern European countries, bringing tangible benefits to businesses, local communities, and ordinary citizens.
Cooperation as a Necessity
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Community Relations of North Macedonia, Ivan Stoilković, described the motto of this year's forum, "Together Shaping the Future," as exceptionally relevant.
"In today's world, full of economic and global challenges, cooperation is no longer a choice, but a necessity," he stated.
He described China as a significant economic partner and a friendly country. According to him, North Macedonia sees significant potential for deeper cooperation in areas such as infrastructure investment, technology, tourism, education, and cultural exchange.
He also emphasized the importance of regional and local cooperation as a driving force for a new cycle of development. He noted that the strongest bonds often arise between people, cities, and communities.
Partnerships Based on Trust
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Serbia, Adrijana Mesarović, stated that cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries demonstrates that long-term partnerships can only be built on mutual trust, respect, and shared development.
She cited the relationship between Serbia and China as an example, describing it as a "staunch friendship" strengthened by long-term strategic trust and practical cooperation.
"The friendship between our countries is reflected not only in economic cooperation, but also in the mutual respect and trust that we share," she said.
According to Mesarović, Chinese investments in Serbia over the past twelve years have exceeded 7.2 billion euros and have helped to create approximately 38,000 jobs in sectors such as mining, energy, automotive, metal processing, and electronics.
She also highlighted the importance of the free trade agreement between China and Serbia, which she described as an important step for the economic development of the country and an opportunity for Serbian companies entering the Chinese market.
In the future, Serbia wants to develop cooperation with China, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence, green energy, the digital economy, and intelligent manufacturing.
A similar view was presented by the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Montenegro, Mirsad Nurković, who emphasized that relations with China are based on mutual respect, equality, understanding, and non-interference in internal affairs.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Marinko Čavara, stated that mutual respect, understanding, and equal treatment represent the foundation for successful cooperation between his country and China.
Bringing Global Partnerships Closer to the People
``` Marinko Čavara pointed out that for Bosnia and Herzegovina, local cooperation has become an important tool for translating diplomatic relations into concrete results. He cited the Ivovik wind farm and the construction of highways as examples, which, according to him, strengthen regional connections and create new development opportunities. "These projects are not just about building roads and bridges. They lay the foundation for future development and market integration," he said. He also recalled China's assistance during natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, which, according to him, strengthened mutual trust. In addition, the visa-free regime introduced in 2018 supported business contacts and interpersonal relationships. He cited the partnership between his hometown of Busovača and the Chinese city of Chenjiangkou in Jiangsu province as an example of successful cooperation. According to him, such relationships demonstrate that international cooperation can bring concrete results in the daily lives of residents through support for entrepreneurship, tourism, or youth exchanges. A source of stability in an uncertain world Throughout the forum, it became clear that many representatives of Central and Eastern European countries view cooperation with China not only as an opportunity for economic growth, but also as a factor of stability in a rapidly changing world. Mirsad Nurković stated that cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries demonstrates that openness and multilateralism remain important pillars of stability and prosperity. He also emphasized that Montenegro's partnership with China is not in conflict with the country's European integration. On the contrary, he believes that cooperation with various partners contributes to common development and regional stability. Similarly, Ivan Stoilković stated that the platform for cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries is a concrete example of how dialogue, mutual respect, and a shared vision can create new opportunities for all involved, even in a time of growing global challenges. gnews.cz/CMG
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