Ningbo's imports from Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) totaled 7.684 billion yuan ($1.18 billion) in 2021, rising by a whopping 146.2 percent year-on-year, official data from Ningbo Customs show.

Specifically, imports of cosmetics and toiletries from the CEEC reached 210 million yuan, up 564.7 percent year-on-year.

Ningbo has forged increasingly closer ties with the CEEC in recent years.

Two editions of the China-CEEC Expo & International Consumer Goods Fair have been held in the city. A permanent exhibition hall displaying CEEC commodities, the largest of its kind in China, has also been set up in the city.

The goods, including rose essential oil from Bulgaria, yogurt mask from Greece, milk from Poland, wine from Romania and coffee from Serbia, have gained popularity among consumers from across China after being displayed in the exhibition hall.

Ningbo is also home to China-CEEC signature cooperation projects like the CEEC International Industrial Cooperation Park and the China-CEEC Innovation Cooperation Research Center.

Starting from Feb 1, all frozen fruits from CEEC that meet the inspection and quarantine requirements will be allowed to enter China, local authorities said.