New China-Central Europe business partnerships launched in Cangzhou
New cooperation programs and business ties were announced at the seventh forum for Chinese and Central and Eastern European small and medium-sized enterprises in Cangzhou. Artificial intelligence, logistics, energy and manufacturing were also key topics at the event.
- The seventh forum for Chinese and Central and Eastern European small and medium-sized enterprises was held in Cangzhou.
- Hebei province unveiled a plan to build an AI services ecosystem.
- A new chamber of commerce, cooperation initiative and partnership program were launched.
- Cargill invested approximately $500 million in the first two phases of the Hebei Jiahao project.
- Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries will be 15 years old in 2027.
Building a joint services ecosystem
The forum was held on October 26 and 27, 2026, in Cangzhou, in China's Hebei province. The event coincided with the 70th anniversary of the founding of the China-Czechoslovakia Friendship Farm. The organizers included the Cangzhou municipal people's government, the Hebei Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, and the small and medium-sized enterprise development center of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
Held under the theme “Develop mutual cooperation and embrace a shared future,” the forum unveiled several new plans. These included Hebei's plan to build a joint ecosystem for artificial intelligence services under the “Wan-fan Yunhai” initiative. The organizers also presented measures to support the development of industrial clusters, a plan to expand the “Hebei Goods to the World” cooperation initiative into Central and Eastern Europe, and a framework for China-Central and Eastern Europe logistics cooperation.
Chamber of commerce and partnership program launched
The forum saw the opening of Cangzhou's Chamber of Economic and Trade Cooperation with Central and Eastern Europe. An initiative supporting cooperation between the city and small and medium-sized enterprises from Central and Eastern European countries was launched, along with Cangzhou's partnership program.
Eight parallel events were held as part of the forum. They included a cross-border business matchmaking conference for Chinese and Central and Eastern European small and medium-sized enterprises, a meeting on trade cooperation connecting Hebei with global markets, and events focused on energy-industry equipment, carbon-free energy and manufacturing equipment.
Participants report concrete business opportunities
Olivier Salzgeber, vice president of Cargill Asia Pacific, said the forum enabled him to meet potential partners. According to a report published by PR Newswire, he was impressed by Cangzhou's green chemistry and circular development model, as well as the progress of its AI-driven digital transformation.
Cargill invested approximately $500 million in the first two phases of the Hebei Jiahao grain and oilseed project at Huanghua Port. Salzgeber said the port's location, along with its land and sea transport links, helped reduce logistics costs. According to the company's statement, it intends to further expand its presence in Cangzhou.
Wang Yunhong, chairman of IBIH Aerogel, said the business matchmaking conference had clarified the route into Central and Eastern European markets and enabled direct talks with companies in the region. Yan Chaoyi, CEO of Czech-Sino Shark (Cangzhou) Aircraft Manufacturing, said the forum provided a platform to present the company's project and secure international orders and technical cooperation.
2027 will mark the partnership's 15th anniversary
Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries will mark its 15th anniversary in 2027. Li Jian, director-general for European affairs at China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said China was ready to work with countries in the region to strengthen cooperation, support common development and mutually beneficial results, and enrich the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the European Union.
Based on the forum's announcements, practical areas of cooperation include AI services, logistics, green chemistry, the energy industry, manufacturing and direct business matchmaking for small and medium-sized enterprises.
