China, CEE countries see steady trade, investment growth

Trade and investment have steadily grown with Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, a Chinese commerce official said on June 5.

China-CEE trade increased to US$58.7 billion last year from US$43.9 billion in 2010, said Zhou Xiaoyan, head of the department of European affairs with the Ministry of Commerce, at a press conference.

The share of China-CEE trade in China's overall trade with Europe expanded to 9.8 percent in 2016, said Zhou.

China's investment in CEE countries has accumulated to more than US$8 billion, covering machinery, chemical, telecom, new energy and other industries, according to Zhou.

Meanwhile, 16 CEE countries have invested over US$1.2 billion in China, she told reporters.

An investment and trade expo for China and CEE countries will be held in Ningbo of eastern China's Zhejiang Province from June 8 to 12, with Belt and Road development and economic cooperation highlighted.

China has signed documents on Belt and Road cooperation with 13 of the 16 CEE countries, Zhou said.