Representatives from Bulgaria's Ministry of Transport and Ningbo municipal government sign the agreement to establish a China - CEEC Transportation Infrastructure and Investment Research Center in Sofia, capital of Bulgaria on Nov 22. [Photo/ cnnb.com.cn]

A China - CEEC research center is set to be established and its secretariat has been proposed to settle in Ningbo, Zhejiang province according to the signing ceremony of the research center held in Sofia, capital of Bulgaria on Nov 22.

In order to promote the cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) in transportation infrastructure and investment, the China - CEEC Transportation Infrastructure and Investment Research Center has been agreed to be set up after the negotiation between Bulgaria's Ministry of Transport, Chinese Culture Center in Sofia, and Ningbo municipal government.

The research center is expected to convene forums on China - CEEC transportation infrastructure and investment cooperation in Ningbo or Central and Eastern European countries at regular intervals.

The first forum will be held in Ningbo next year, during which the first council for the research center will be formed.

Besides, a training platform of technicians in transport infrastructure construction will also be established to strengthen the international cooperation in cultivating professionals in transport infrastructure construction, such as highway, railway, ports, and airports.

As the first Chinese city to have established friendly relations with 16 Central and Eastern European countries, Ningbo has positively participated in the Belt and Road Initiative and hosted a series of related activities in recent years, such as China – CEEC Investment and Trade Fair and China – CEEC Mayors Forum.

Representatives from Bulgaria's Ministry of Transport, Chinese Culture Center in Sofia, and Ningbo municipal government pose for a group photo after the signing ceremony of the research center. [Photo/ cnnb.com.cn]