On December 25, 2025, Chen Xufeng, Ambassador of China to Montenegro, met with Dritan Abazović, Co-Chair of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC), Chairman of the United Reform Action (URA), and former Prime Minister of Montenegro.
Ambassador Chen commended Abazović for his contributions to promoting pragmatic cooperation between China and Montenegro during his tenure as Prime Minister, and emphasized that China consistently upholds the principle that all countries, regardless of size, are equal. He expressed China’s willingness to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with all political parties in Montenegro on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs, and noted China’s expectation that Montenegro would advance China-Montenegro friendship to a new stage with a broader strategic vision.
The two sides also had an in-depth exchange of views on issues of mutual interest.
On November 14, the Belt and Road China (Chengdu)-Central and Eastern European Countries Business Community Dialogue was held at the Tianfu New Area Conference Center in Chengdu. The event was jointly organized by the China Economic Liaison Center and the Foreign Affairs Office of the Chengdu Municipal People’s Government.
Ma Hui, Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee; the Deputy Secretary of the CPC Chengdu Municipal Committee and Mayor of Chengdu; Meira Hot, Vice President of the National Assembly of Slovenia and Vice Chair of the Social Democrats; and Viorica Dăncilă, Co-Chair of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC), President of Romania-China House, and former Prime Minister of Romania, attended the opening ceremony and delivered remarks.
In their speeches, all parties emphasized that the dialogue serves as an important platform for deepening pragmatic cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries under the Belt and Road framework, and will inject new momentum into business cooperation among all parties. Subsequently, the Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Investment Promotion presented the city’s investment environment and key industries.
Viorica Dăncilă, Co-Chair of ECECDC, President of Romania-China House, and former Prime Minister of Romania, delivered a keynote address.
At the historic juncture of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-EU diplomatic relations, the First China-Europe Business Leaders and Former Senior Officials Dialogue, co-hosted by the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC) and the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), was successfully held in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, from September 22 to 23.
More than 30 senior representatives from the political and business communities of China and Europe gathered to engage in in-depth discussions on topics such as “New Challenges and New Opportunities in China-Europe Economic and Trade Relations” and “Deepening Practical Cooperation in Key Areas.” The dialogue aimed to build consensus and contribute wisdom for the sound and stable development of China-EU relations.
Distinguished participants included José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Chairman of ECECDC and former Prime Minister of Spain; Viorica Dăncilă, Co-Chair of ECECDC and former Prime Minister of Romania; Pan Feng, President of the ECECDC; Wang Yiming, Vice Chairman of CCIEE and Executive Vice President of its Executive Office; Hu Xiaolian, Vice Chairwoman of CCIEE; Xu Feng, Vice Mayor of the Nanjing Municipal People’s Government; Lu Shaye, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on European Affairs and former Chinese Ambassador to France; as well as business leaders and former senior officials from both China and Europe. Cai Run, Head of the Chinese Mission to the EU and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, delivered a video address.
Participants noted that the current international landscape is undergoing complex changes, with profound adjustments in global industrial and supply chains. As two of the world’s major economies, China and the EU should remain committed to mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and jointly safeguard multilateralism and the free trade system.
Chinese representatives highlighted that China-EU economic and trade cooperation has achieved remarkable results, reflected not only in trade figures but also in the deep collaboration between enterprises across multiple sectors. European representatives stressed that stable and predictable economic and trade relations serve the fundamental interests of both sides. They cautioned that excessive politicization could harm market and supply chain interests, and called for deeper business cooperation in areas such as green development, digital innovation, clean energy, and energy storage to achieve mutual benefits.
The conference released a think tank research report entitled “Building a New Type of Strategic Partnership between China and Europe for the Future,” providing intellectual support for the long-term development of China-EU relations.
The successful hosting of the First China-Europe Business Leaders and Former Senior Officials Dialogue in Nanjing established a new platform for deepening exchanges between the business communities of China and Europe, and further built broad consensus on advancing practical cooperation. Looking ahead, China and the EU are expected to strengthen collaboration in green development, digital innovation, scientific research, and global governance, working hand in hand to inject greater certainty into global stability and prosperity, and jointly open a brighter chapter for the next 50 years of cooperation.
On September 21, 2025, diplomats from over twenty European countries to China visited Beijing’s Shunyi District, where they toured the China-Germany Industrial Park and the Luo Hong Art Museum to learn about the district’s industrial development and cultural features.
In the evening, the welcome banquet “European Diplomats Discover Shunyi & Soul of the Balkans’—Explore the Taste of Bosnia and Herzegovina” was held. Gong Zongyuan, Secretary of the CPC Shunyi District Committee; Viorica Dăncilă, Co-Chair of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC) and former Prime Minister of Romania; and Sinisa Berjan, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to China, attended and delivered speeches. Nearly 150 participants joined the event, including diplomats from more than 20 countries such as Albania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Serbia, and Spain, as well as representatives of chambers of commerce, the Delegation of the European Union to China, and former Chinese ambassadors to Europe.
As the international gateway of the capital and a key hub for the airport economy, Shunyi is accelerating its development into a high-quality modern new city integrating ports, industries, and urban living. This exchange event provided a platform to deepen practical cooperation between China and Europe and demonstrated Shunyi’s commitment to a high level of opening up.
Pan Feng, President of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC); Aurelian Gogulescu, Member of the ECECDC and President of the Prahova Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Denis Jelimălai, Secretary General of the ECECDC and former Ambassador of Moldova to China, also attended the event.
On September 19, the First Global Geographical Indication Products Expo and the China–EU Geographical Indications Agreement Forum, hosted by the China Council for International Investment Promotion (CCIIP) and strongly supported by the Delegation of the European Union to China, among others, opened in Shunyi District, Beijing. Romania served as the Guest Country of Honor, and GI products from nearly 30 countries and regions were showcased at the event. Dritan Abazović, Co-Chair of the Europe–China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC) and former Prime Minister of Montenegro, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. Also present at the opening ceremony were Fang Aiqing, Chairman of the China Council for International Investment Promotion; Violeta Mușat, State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture of Romania; Lu Shaye, Special Representative of the Chinese Government for European Affairs; Mattias Lentz, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to China; Pan Feng, President of the ECECDC; Cui Xiaohao, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Shunyi District Committee and District Mayor of Beijing’s Shunyi District, along with more than 300 Chinese and foreign dignitaries, representatives of institutions, and business leaders.
In his remarks, Abazović noted that geographical indications constitute “a new language for mutual understanding in the world,” embodying commitments to authenticity, assurances of quality, and the inheritance of culture. He emphasized that cooperation in the field of geographical indications would build a more solid bridge for international trade and cultural exchanges between China and other countries.
On September 3, Viorica Dăncilă, Co-Chair of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC) and former Prime Minister of Romania, was invited to attend in Beijing the commemorative event marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. As a former political leader, Viorica Dăncilă warmly shook hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan. Together with 45 other foreign leaders and dignitaries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, they posed for a group photo, paid tribute to veterans of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World War II, and viewed the grand military parade from Tiananmen Rostrum.
On June 23 to 24, local time, Pan Feng, President of Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC), led a business delegation to Romania. During the visit, he held discussions with Florin Spataru, State Adviser to the Romanian Prime Minister’s Office, Adrian Năstase, former Prime Minister of Romania, Aurelian Gogulescu, President of the Prahova Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and other political and business leaders. The talks focused on important issues such as China-Romania economic and trade cooperation, the preparation for the First China-Europe Business Leaders and Former Senior Officials Dialogue, and the organization of the Fourth Global Geographical Indication Products Expo (GIPE 2025).
Pan Feng stated that China-Europe and China-Romania economies are highly complementary, with vast potential for cooperation. ECECDC will fully utilize its platform advantages to promote the successful implementation of these two major events, facilitate efficient connections between political and business resources, and use geographical indication product cooperation as a key approach to advancing bilateral trade and cultural exchanges, aiming for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. Adrian Năstase highly praised the active role of ECECDC in promoting bilateral cooperation and expressed his expectation that the China-Europe Business Leaders and Former Senior Officials Dialogue will build a high-level dialogue bridge to create more practical cooperation opportunities for businesses. The visit further enhanced mutual trust between China and Europe, laying a solid foundation for future pragmatic cooperation across multiple fields and is expected to inject new momentum into China-Europe economic cooperation.
On the morning of June 20, local time, Pan Feng, President of Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC), led a business delegation to visit Spain. During the visit, Pan Feng met with Mr. Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, former Prime Minister of Spain and Chairman of the ECECDC. Both sides had in-depth discussions and exchanged views on topics such as China-Spain trade and investment, global green energy transition, intelligent development of manufacturing, the First China-Europe Business Leaders and Former Senior Officials Dialogue, and the organization of the Fourth Global Geographical Indication Products Expo.
On 9 June 2025, Mr. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Chairman of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC) and former Prime Minister of Spain, met with Mr. Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and Mr. John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Dr. Zichen, recipient of the 18th World Outstanding Chinese Award, Chairman of the AI Committee of the World Chinese Business Investment Foundation, and Executive Director and President of Alpha Technology Group Limited (Nasdaq: ATGL), was invited to attend the exchange meeting. The discussions focused on Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” and “super value creator,” and on how to further enhance exchanges between China and Europe, particularly Spain.
The meeting also centered on the successful implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” policy in Hong Kong and its current economic development, with in-depth exchanges on key topics related to artificial intelligence. Both sides expressed their intention to promote future cooperation between Hong Kong and Europe in the fields of science, technology, and innovation.
According to media reports, when speaking about technological development, former Prime Minister Zapatero described artificial intelligence as a “qualitative leap” in the history of technology. He noted that AI represents not only technological progress, but also poses challenges to models of coexistence within human society. He further called for the establishment of robust ethical norms and strengthened global cooperation to regulate and guide the development of artificial intelligence.
During his visit to Hong Kong, former Prime Minister Zapatero placed particular emphasis on educational exchanges, cooperation among universities, and collaboration in vocational education. He emphasized that, from a medium- to long-term perspective, exchanges in education and culture help consolidate and promote friendly relations among countries and regions worldwide, enhance people-to-people connectivity, and enable all parties to discover more shared common ground.
On May 24, 2025, amid the blend of history and modernity along Ningbo’s Bund, the 10th edition of the “Bund Afternoon Tea”, the Romania-Ningbo Jiangbei Investment and Economic & Trade Exchange Event, was held. Viorica Dăncilă, Co-Chair of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC) and former Prime Minister of Romania, led a Romanian political and business delegation on a visit to the Ningbo Secretariat of the European Ningbo General Chamber of Commerce.
Members of the delegation included Nicolae Vasilescu, Chairman of the Romania-China Chamber of Commerce; Gheorghe Cătălin Coman, Mayor of Fălticeni; Sorin Cristian Inache, Deputy Mayor of Galați; Ion Ștefanovici, President of the Center for Analysis and Planning of Regional Development; Titus Valberg, Vice Chairman of the Viorica Dăncilă Foundation; Bogdan Cătreanu, Secretary General of the Viorica Dăncilă Foundation; Cosmin Alexandru Ilie, City Administrator of Fălticeni; and Toma Ion Dumitrescu, City Administrator of Galați. Together with representatives from Ningbo’s government and business sectors, they jointly outlined a blueprint for cooperation, with multiple agreements signed on site. The gathering of senior officials marked a milestone in cooperation and injected strong momentum into China-Central and Eastern Europe economic and trade collaboration. Xu Huixiang, District Mayor of Jiangbei District People’s Government; Pan Weifeng, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Jiangbei District Committee and Head of the United Front Work Department; and Gu Guoxing, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Jiangbei District Committee and Executive Vice District Mayor, attended the event.
