On September 11, the 2026 China-CEEC Conference on Innovation Cooperation concluded in Nanjing. Themed “A Decade of Innovation, Building the Future Together,” the conference was co-hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic, and was held successively in Ningbo and Nanjing. More than 300 government officials, diplomatic envoys, heads of universities and research institutions, experts and scholars, and young sci-tech talent representatives from China and Central and Eastern European countries attended the closing ceremony.
At the closing ceremony, six cooperation projects between Jiangsu and CEE countries were signed on-site. Three CEE representatives shared cooperation achievements and discussed future cooperation directions, and 14 representatives from China and abroad jointly watered the “Tree of the Future,” symbolizing that China-CEEC innovation cooperation will carry forward the torch from generation to generation and embark on a new journey with renewed strength.
An official with the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Science and Technology (JST) introduced: “Over the past decade, Jiangsu has deepened innovation cooperation with CEE countries, built the China-CEEC Technology Transfer Center (CCTTC) to high quality, established partnerships with 133 institutions, held five consecutive industry-university-research matchmaking events, and implemented a number of high-quality joint research and development projects.” He stated that in the future, Jiangsu will focus on fields of common interest to both sides, such as artificial intelligence and green and low-carbon development, promote the two-way flow of technology, talent, and capital, and enhance cooperation effectiveness.
“The conference has built an important platform for exchanging knowledge, sharing experience, and deepening cooperation among the scientific, industrial, and business communities. It has further strengthened the confidence and determination of all parties to enhance scientific and technological cooperation and exchanges, and laid a solid foundation for closer cooperation in the future,” said Šimonak, State Secretary, Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic.
It is reported that the first conference was held in Nanjing in 2016, and it has since become the highest-level and largest flagship event in the field of science and technology between China and Central and Eastern European countries.
Source: Xinhua Daily