浙江省副省长卢山答21记者：浙江将更大力度推动与中东欧国家合作，扩大商品进口与产业投资

Core Points - The press conference highlighted the progress and future plans for economic cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, particularly focusing on Zhejiang province's role in this collaboration [1][4] Economic Cooperation - Zhejiang's trade with CEE countries reached 182.7 billion yuan in the previous year, with imports from CEE countries amounting to 19.75 billion yuan, a 64% increase from 2021. In the first quarter of this year, the total import and export value was 46.84 billion yuan, a year-on-year growth of 15.7%, with imports at 5.06 billion yuan, up 13.5% [1][2] - By the end of last year, Zhejiang's cumulative investment in CEE countries was 1.73 billion USD [1] Transportation Connectivity - The China-Europe Railway Express (Yixinou) operated 2,619 trains last year, transporting 214,000 TEUs, a 37% increase from 2021. In the first quarter of this year, 771 trains were dispatched, carrying 63,000 TEUs, a 4% year-on-year increase [2] - Maritime connections have been established between Ningbo-Zhoushan Port and five CEE ports, with container transport reaching 786,000 TEUs last year [2] - Air routes have been opened from Ningbo and Hangzhou to Budapest, enhancing trade and travel between Zhejiang and CEE countries [2] Cultural and Educational Exchange - Zhejiang has established 60 sister city relationships with CEE countries, with nearly 30,000 residents from Zhejiang visiting CEE countries last year, and 18,000 CEE residents visiting Zhejiang [2] - 42 universities in Zhejiang have formed partnerships with CEE institutions, including the establishment of the "China-CEE Vocational Education Alliance," the first multilateral cooperation platform in vocational education within the CEE framework [2] Future Plans - Zhejiang aims to enhance its openness and cooperation with CEE countries, focusing on increasing imports of high-quality agricultural products and expanding industrial investments in sectors like home appliances, equipment manufacturing, and new materials [3] - The province plans to strengthen cultural exchanges and leverage educational, technological, and cultural platforms for better mutual understanding [3] - Efforts will be made to create an optimal open environment characterized by the best services, lowest costs, and highest efficiency [3]