A site with the China-CEEC Expo sign in Ningbo Photo: Courtesy of the publicity department of Ningbo

Vladimír Tomšík, Ambassador of the Czech Republic, told the Global Times on Monday during the second China-Central & Eastern European Countries (CEEC) Expo and International Consumer Goods Fair in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, that organizing the event is a great opportunity for European partners to present goods to China and promote trade. 

"It is very important and we can display our products and we can offer them to Chinese clients, our Chinese customers. And of course, they have to decide what kind of goods they are willing to buy and we will be ready and happy to export to China," said Tomšík.

The event, jointly organized by the Ministry of Commerce and the Zhejiang provincial government, aims to explore opportunities to boost trade of consumer goods and services between China and CEEC members.

"If you're asking me about the Czech products, there are a lot of automatic industries that are willing to offer Chinese clients as well as other micro products. We have many products in the finance industry, in the automotive industry and agriculture products. So, I think it's very important to participate in this expo and to ensure this opportunity that we can display the products," said the Czech ambassador.

Bilateral trade between China and CEEC member countries stood at $30.13 billion in the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 50.2 percent year-on-year, with Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary as the top three trade partners, according to data published by the General Administration of Customs.

"We are taking part in the fifth China-CEEC Customs Inspection and Quarantine Cooperation Dialogue. Why? Because to display products is the first step. It is a necessary step. The second step is that, once we see there is a willingness to buy those products, we have to go through the whole procedure of inspections to get all certificates that are necessary for a joint bilateral trade. So I am happy that we can all participate in this dialogue," said Tomšík.

According to the organizers, more than 2,000 exhibitors and 6,000 buyers are expected to participate in the expo.

Ambassador Tomšík added that the leaders are leaning towards multilateralism because this is the way to enjoy the outside advantages of trade. "We can benefit from trade. I think it's the right policy not to be closed, not to close markets, to make them open," said Tomšík.

"Let's ask customers what kind of rules they like, and I will be happy to promote bilateral cooperation. I am very happy that China is organizing [the event] and we are very grateful for this expo," said Tomšík.