Mission of the Poland-Asia Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the 4th China-CEEC Expo & International Consumer Goods Fair, May 22-25, 2025, Ningbo, China

May 21, 2025

Ningbo China-CEEC Business Council

Opening Remarks:

Plenary Session:

9th China-CEEC Business Council Meeting

Organized by CCPIT, this meeting aimed to deepen economic and trade cooperation and exchanges between China and CEECs, strengthen ties between their business communities, and establish a robust platform to promote interactions and expand business opportunities.

Theme: “Innovation-Driven Development and Win-Win Cooperation.” Included: opening ceremony, thematic discussions, business dialogue, and B2B meetings.

Key topics:

Participants: senior Chinese officials, CEEC government representatives, business associations, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, experts, and scholars.

Thematic Discussions:

  1. Synergistic development of China-CEEC supply chains
  2. Legal environment for investment and cross-border legal cooperation
  3. Business dialogue between Chinese and international business associations

Speech at the 4th China-CEEC Expo & International Consumer Goods Fair:
Janusz Piechociński, President, Poland-Asia Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy (2012-2015):

„Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with great joy that Polish business is once again present at the China–Central and Eastern Europe Expo. This is an important gathering of partners, facilitators, and friends of strong China–CEEC relations. Last year, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Poland and China. This year, during Poland’s Presidency of the EU, we mark the 50th anniversary of China–EU relations. Importantly, these are not only diplomatic or political events—they matter greatly for business, companies, and people.

They are especially significant for the members of the Poland-Asia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which fosters cooperation with China and the Chinese business diaspora in Poland and the European Union.

China is a key partner for the Polish economy—second only to our neighbor Germany, the EU’s largest economy. Today, Poland is the sixth-largest economy in the EU and the twentieth globally, with the best GDP growth performance in Europe. Despite this year being marked by global economic tensions and uncertainty, Poland maintains over 3.5% growth, and it is already clear that 2024 will bring a significant increase in investment, including from foreign investors. Most importantly, over 32% of imports from China to Poland are production inputs for our economy.

Poland is a European leader in the production of batteries for electric vehicles, furniture, window joinery, household appliances, televisions, cigarettes, apples, and apple concentrate. Polish road transport companies handle over 20% of freight in Europe, and PKP Cargo is the second-largest rail freight operator in Europe. Poland is also a key producer and exporter of high-quality food.

E-commerce is growing rapidly in Poland, and the country is increasingly becoming a logistics and distribution hub for Germany and Scandinavia in serving online trade. In addition to Polish giants like Allegro and InPost, major international players such as Amazon (USA), Alibaba, Temu, and Shein (China) are also active. This is evidenced by the Polish warehouse market operating at over 93% capacity, which this year exceeded 35 million square meters—over half of which has been built within the last 10 years.

More than 600 large Chinese companies operate successfully in Poland, and nearly 4,000 Chinese citizens run businesses here. Poland and Polish companies aspire to be the gateway hub for Chinese firms entering Europe.

We have significant advantages to realize this plan. The Port of Gdańsk ranks first on the Baltic Sea in container handling, while the Port of Gdynia ranks third. Ships from Chinese ports arrive at both. Over 90% of trains from China to the European Union enter through Polish border crossings, led by Małaszewicze. Polish border terminals and railway lines are undergoing record investments and modernization.

We aim to make even better use of the China–Poland Strategic Partnership, including President Xi’s proposal to build a Food Export Platform, his decision to introduce visa-free tourism, and the opening of the Chinese market to more Polish products and services.

For the past nine years, together with the leadership of China’s largest trade center GD Poland, we have been developing the Poland-Asia Center—a comprehensive platform for managing business relations between Poland and China: trade exchange, legal and investment support, customs and legal advisory, transport, logistics, and e-commerce entry to Poland and the EU market. Our strategic partner is the Chinese-Polish Chamber of Commerce, led by GD’s General Director Mr. Han Baohua.

Ningbo has a permanent representative office in GD Poland. The Poland-Asia Chamber includes a China Section, headed by Mr. Felix Wang, who coordinates cooperation with Chinese business. In preparation for the trip to Ningbo alone, we have held over 30 Polish-Chinese meetings and teleconferences this year.

Here in Ningbo, we would also like to express our deep gratitude for the outstanding cooperation with H.E. Sun Linjiang, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Poland, and the Economic Department of the Chinese Embassy in Warsaw.

In the face of today’s challenges, we have one clear answer: more partnership, more cooperation, more goodwill, and dialogue. Let us begin every conversation by focusing on what unites us, not what divides us—remembering always that Together, We Can Achieve More.

You are welcome in Poland. We invite you to cooperate”.

May 21, 2025

May 22, 2025

Seminar organized by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency:

Visit to the permanent CEEC product exhibition in Ningbo.

Business mission B2B meetings with over 30 Chinese companies:
Presentations by:

Gala Dinner with Mayor Tang Feofan.

May 23, 2025

China-CEEC Mayors Forum

Theme: Urban Development Through Global Partnerships

Opening Ceremony:

Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends from China and Central and Eastern European Countries,

It is with great pleasure that we accepted the invitation to this meeting of regional and local authorities from China and Central and Eastern Europe. Last year in Poland, we actively celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Poland and China. This year, an important element of Poland’s Presidency in the European Union is the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the EU.

Yesterday we spoke about business relations. Today, we would like to address how, from the perspective of regional and local governments, we can implement important issues that matter to our citizens. How can we—without weakening the strong and efficient state—delegate decision-making, finances, and competencies downward to regions and local communities, so they can develop more effectively?

How can we, through these ongoing processes, also unleash human activity and engagement at the regional and local levels in building better versions of China, Poland, or Slovakia?

China is not only Beijing; it is also Shanghai and Ningbo. Poland is not only Warsaw, but also Gdańsk, Szczecin, and Gdynia. Slovakia is not only Bratislava, but also many excellent logistics centers and terminals. There are many aspects of regional potential, both in China and Central and Eastern Europe.

In my political career, I was elected five times to the Polish Parliament and twice to the regional government of Poland’s largest region—Mazovia. I’ve experienced the responsibility of making regional decisions as chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee and the Environmental Protection Committee. As president of the Environmental Protection Fund, I saw the great potential of people concerned with quality of life and environmental conservation. It was a valuable lesson in building an active society that works hand-in-hand with regional and local authorities to improve Poland.

Among us today are those who have carried out—and continue to carry out—similar work successfully in China and Central and Eastern European countries. Today, we share this experience, making use of the expanding space for cooperation and new initiatives, so we can pass on a better and safer world to future generations.

Let me repeat once more: Together, we can achieve more. Let’s make it happen”

Signing of cooperation declarations by Chinese and European provinces and cities
Meeting with Yang Wanming and Han Baohua on local cooperation and cultural/tourism relations.

Lunch meeting with CPAFFC and Ningbo leadership.

May 24, 2025

Presentation of Poland’s economy and Polish company offers to Chinese business and media:
Speakers:

B2B meetings with Chinese companies.

Dinner hosted by Shenzhen business representatives

Interview with Janusz Piechociński for Ningbo media

  1. Could you introduce Poland and discuss the main characteristics of this country in the fields of economy, trade, and culture?

Poland is the 6th largest economy in the European Union, the 20th in the world, and in recent years, the fastest-growing economy in the EU, accounting for over 40% of the potential of Central and Eastern Europe.

Last year, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Poland and China. This year, during Poland’s Presidency of the EU, we commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the European Union.

In this year of global economic tensions and uncertainty, Poland maintains a growth rate of over 3.5%, and it is already evident that this year will significantly increase investment, including from foreign investors. Importantly, and as a clear reflection of the strength of China–Poland relations, more than 32% of imports from China to Poland are production-related goods for our economy.

China is a very important partner for the Polish economy—second only to our neighbor Germany, the EU’s largest economy. Poland is a European leader in the production of batteries for electric vehicles, furniture, window joinery, household appliances, televisions, cigarettes, apples, and apple concentrate. Polish road transport companies handle over 20% of freight across Europe, and PKP Cargo is the second-largest rail freight operator in Europe. Poland is also a major producer and exporter of high-quality food.

E-commerce in Poland is growing at a rapid pace, and our country is becoming a warehousing and distribution hub for Germany and Scandinavia in the servicing of online trade. In addition to Polish companies like Allegro and InPost, global players such as Amazon (USA), Alibaba, Temu, and Shein (China) also operate here. This is evidenced by the Polish warehousing market, which is operating at over 93% capacity and this year has surpassed 35 million square meters.

This year, we also celebrate the Millennium of the Polish Kingdom, and among the most prominent figures in world science are Nicolaus Copernicus and Marie Skłodowska-Curie. Poland is the land of Chopin and his music. This year marked the end of the global qualification rounds for the Chopin Competition. Let us recall that five years ago, the first prize was awarded to a Chinese pianist, and in this year’s final, Chinese participants secured over 30% of the top positions.

Over 600 large Chinese companies are successfully operating in Poland, and nearly 4,000 citizens of the People’s Republic of China conduct business activities in our country. Poland and Polish companies aspire to become a gateway hub for Chinese enterprises entering Europe.

We have several key advantages to support this vision. The Port of Gdańsk ranks first in container handling on the Baltic Sea, while the Port of Gdynia ranks third. Both receive ships from Chinese ports, including Ningbo. Over 90% of trains from China to the European Union travel along the Silk Railway Route and enter through Polish border crossings, with Małaszewicze as the primary hub. Record-level investments and modernization efforts are currently underway at Poland’s border terminals and along railway lines.

We seek to further leverage the China–Poland Strategic Partnership—including President Xi’s proposal to establish a Food Export Platform, his decision to introduce visa-free tourism, and the continued opening of the Chinese market to more products and services. These initiatives create significant potential for expanding our cooperation.

For the past nine years, together with the management of GD Poland, the largest Chinese trade center in the European Union, we have been implementing the Poland–Asia Center project—an integrated platform supporting comprehensive business relations between Poland and China. This includes trade exchange, legal and investment services, legal and customs advisory, transport, freight forwarding and logistics, and entry into the Polish and European e-commerce market.

Our strategic partner is the Chinese-Polish Chamber of Commerce, led by General Director Mr. Han Baohua. GD Poland hosts the Permanent Representative Office of Ningbo, and among many companies operating there are businesses from the City of Ningbo and your Province.

Within the Poland-Asia Chamber, there is a China Section headed by Mr. Felix Qi Wang, who coordinates cooperation with Chinese businesses. In our work, we actively engage the significant potential of the Chinese diaspora in Poland and the European Union. These individuals not only speak the language and understand Chinese business culture, but also navigate Europe with ease, having strong practical business experience in both Poland and Europe.

Many of them have children who were born in Poland and have successfully graduated from top Polish and European universities. Importantly, they are eager to expand cooperation into new fields.

As the Poland-Asia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we have signed cooperation agreements with the authorities of Zhejiang Province, the City of Ningbo, its economic administration, and business organizations in the region.

As part of our preparations for the trade fair in Ningbo, we have held over 30 Polish–Chinese meetings and teleconferences this year alone. At GD Poland and the Poland-Asia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we have hosted numerous delegations from Chinese government and business sectors.

For us and for many Polish companies, the Port and City of Ningbo represent a friendly and efficient gateway hub to the Chinese and Asian markets. We are very grateful to President Xi for the decision to introduce 30-day visa-free travel from Poland to China.

Interest in your country, its history, and culture is growing steadily in Poland. Many Polish students are eager to study at your universities, and an increasing number of entrepreneurs are looking to establish partnerships and are ready to invest in China.

This year marks our third participation in the China–Central and Eastern Europe Expo in Ningbo. With each edition, the number of Polish participants continues to grow. At the same time, the number of exhibitors and participants from Ningbo attending trade fairs in Poland is also increasing.

China and Poland have a great deal to offer each other, and there is even more potential to be unlocked—especially in new areas of cooperation.

We sincerely thank you for the invitation to the fair, for the warm and friendly reception, and for the hundreds of meetings and thousands of conversations—not only about business.

We warmly invite you to Poland, a country of welcoming and open-hearted people, just like China. We also extend an invitation to Chinese companies from Ningbo and Zhejiang Province to work with GD Poland and the China Section of the Poland-Asia Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Business Delegation Participants:

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