Xu Yanan, vice mayor of Ningbo, highlights the city's development and its efforts in strengthening China-CEEC ties at the China-CEEC Economic and Trade Forum in Sofia, Bulgaria on July 7. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

Ningbo in Zhejiang province, the location of China's first 16+1 Economic and Trade Demonstration Zone, was invited to display what it has achieved from China-CEEC (Central and Eastern European countries) ties at the China-CEEC Economic and Trade Forum in Sofia, capital of Bulgaria, on July 7.

It was the third time that Ningbo has taken part in the international event.

At the forum, Xu Yanan, vice mayor of the coastal city in East China, highlighted the achievements resulting from the ties over the past five years and laid out Ningbo's goals in furthering the construction of the 16+1 Economic and Trade Demonstration Zone. Xu also pledged the city will make an active contribution to promoting all-around cooperation between China and CEEC.

Meanwhile, businesspeople from Ningbo held in-depth discussions with their counterparts from CEEC at several parallel sessions of the forum, aiming to seek exchange and cooperation opportunities.

Ningbo also showcased at the forum what it has done to boost the bilateral ties at an exhibition featuring achievements of China-CEEC cooperation, including the successful hosting of the ministerial conferences of China and CEEC on promoting trade and economic cooperation, and various platforms that have been built for different purposes.

A mascot of the China-CEEC Expo, which has been held in Ningbo for four consecutive years, poses with a staff member at the exhibition of achievements in Sofia, Bulgaria on July 7. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]