4th China-CEEC Expo in Ningbo Attracts Hungarian Exporters

The 4th China-CEEC Expo & International Consumer Goods Fair starts today at the Ningbo International Conference and Exhibition Center, with an exhibition area of 22,000 square meters, announced the Hungarian Export Agency (HEPA) on its Website.

Ningbo is not only one of China’s most important trade hubs, but also home to one of the world’s busiest ports. For Hungarian exporters, this can mean efficient access to Chinese customers and the wider Asian region. The China-CEEC Expo is the most important event to promote cooperation between the Central and Eastern European region and China, stated the HEPA briefing.

China-CEEC Ningbo. Photo: CGTN

The China Briefing newsletter by Shen Shiwei also revealed that the regular direct flights between Budapest and Ningbo, China’s eastern maritime hub, are contributing to bridging two continents in trade and investment. Launched as Ningbo’s first intercontinental route, the flights are more than a logistical link, they have elevated Hungary to the forefront of Chinese investment in Central and Eastern Europe and deepened its status as a key trading partner.

This 12-hour journey has redefined cross-border economic interaction as now Hungarian engineers and Chinese business executives can commute without transfers, while the flight’s cargo hold also serves as a fast lane for goods. Hungarian premium wines, precision automotive components, and fresh agricultural products reach Chinese markets in quick space, while Ningbo’s cutting-edge exports – electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and solar panels – gain rapid access to European assembly lines.

China has remained Hungary’s largest non-EU trading partner for over a decade, with bilateral trade surging to $16.2 billion in 2024 – a year-on-year increase of 11.6 percent,

according to China’s Ministry of Commerce. This partnership thrives on three pillars: connectivity, which tackles geographical barriers; complementarity, where Hungary’s EU market access and technical expertise pair with Ningbo’s manufacturing prowess; and shared vision, particularly in green and digital transformation. Hungary’s strategic location and skilled workforce has made it a magnet for Chinese investment in the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector, with China emerging as the largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Hungary in 2024. Major projects in EV battery production and smart manufacturing highlight this trend, leveraging Hungary’s role as a key node in Europe’s EV supply chain and Ningbo’s industrial capabilities.

The Chinese battery giant is opening a megafactory in Debrecen. Photo via Twitter/CATL

Hungary’s industrial innovators, meanwhile, are integrating into Ningbo’s manufacturing ecosystem. The China-CEEC Expo in Ningbo is currently featuring many Hungarian products from organic foods to industrial machinery.

The bilateral collaboration is perhaps strongest in the new energy sector. Major Chinese enterprises have invested in Hungarian EV and battery projects, including gigafactories that will produce cutting-edge components for European markets. Chinese electric vehicles, with their affordability and advanced technology, are already making an impact on Hungary’s used car market, offering consumers eco-friendly and cost-effective options.

“China is at the forefront of battery and EV technology,” noted Csaba Wolf, vice president of ChinaCham, the Hungarian-Chinese Chamber of Economy.

Cooperation with China is essential for those seeking cutting-edge, sustainable solutions that balance performance and affordability.”

This sentiment is echoed in projects like CATL’s gigafactory in Debrecen, where Ningbo’s supply of advanced components – transported via the direct flight and integrated logistics networks – ensures integration into Europe’s EV supply chain.

The Budapest-Ningbo flights also facilitate personal trips. China’s visa-free policy for Hungarian travelers has boosted tourism, with Chinese visitors increasingly drawn to Hungary’s landscapes and cultural heritage, while Hungarian cuisine is also starting to gain traction in China.