Meishan Port Area of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. [Photo by Yang Jiangqi/Yongpai App]

China's trade with Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs) showed strong resilience and growing potential in 2025. The China-CEEC Trade Prosperity Index reached a record high of 162.73, according to the latest data from Ningbo Customs released on Aug 28.

The index, a barometer of China-CEEC trade, measures four key areas: trade ties, competitiveness, trade potential, and transport connectivity. The 2025 figure rose 11.89 points from 2024 and 62.73 points from 2015.

Trade potential saw significant growth, increasing by 22.27 points year-on-year to 242.78, its highest level ever. Expanding trade and strong economic complementarity between China and CEECs have created greater room for future cooperation.

Improved connectivity has also driven fresh momentum. The transport connectivity indicator climbed 29.42 points to 186.22 in 2025. During the year, China-Europe freight train services increased 3.2 percent, while more than 30 direct air routes connected China and CEECs, with over 70 passenger and cargo flights operating each week.

Meanwhile, trade facilitation continues to improve. More than 130 categories of agricultural and food products from CEECs are now authorized for export to China, further expanding opportunities for bilateral trade and cooperation.