A delegation of media and communications officials from Central and Eastern European countries visit Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. [Photo/Yongpai app]

A delegation of media and communications officials from Albania, Poland, Slovenia, Serbia, and other Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries visited Ningbo on July 2, gaining firsthand insight into the city's role in fostering trade and people-to-people exchanges between China and the region.

At Ningbo-Zhoushan Port's Meishan terminal, delegates learned how digital technologies and automation are reshaping port operations. Automated cranes, driverless container trucks, and intelligent scheduling systems have helped improve efficiency while changing traditional working practices.

Several delegates expressed particular interest in the terminal's smart management systems and the growing use of remote operations. Piotr Gadzinowski, a media affairs official from Poland, noted that technology has broadened employment opportunities in the port sector, including for women working in control and operations roles.

The delegation also visited the China-CEEC Permanent Exhibition Hall, which showcases thousands of products from CEE countries. Officials highlighted the importance of Ningbo's role as home to China's only China-CEEC Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone, which provides a platform for businesses from the region to reach Chinese consumers.

Divna Vidakovic, a spokesperson from Serbia, said the platform has helped products such as Serbian cashmere goods and wines gain greater visibility in China while reducing market-entry costs for smaller companies.

Many delegates were visiting Ningbo, or China, for the first time. Alteo Hysi, communication adviser to the Albanian foreign minister and spokesperson of the MEFA, said cultural and tourism exchanges are helping people better understand one another beyond trade.

Ningbo has hosted a range of cultural, educational, and tourism exchange programs with CEE countries in recent years, complementing growing economic cooperation with stronger people-to-people ties.