The Jilin-CEEC Trade and Economic Cooperation Conference is held in Changchun on Aug 19. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A major conference was recently successfully held in Changchun -- capital of Northeast China's Jilin province -- to expand trade and cooperation with Central and Eastern European Countries, or CEEC, according to local officials.

They said the Jilin-CEEC Trade and Economic Cooperation Conference, which was held in Changchun on Aug 19, would promote the province's export-oriented economic development.

Officials said the conference was simultaneously held in offline and online forms, attracting the participation of representatives from 13 CEEC governments, chambers of commerce and companies.

At the meeting, Jilin officials gave a presentation on the latest developments and opening-up achievements of the province to CEEC representatives. They focused on promoting opening-up platforms such as the China-South Korea (Changchun) International Cooperation Demonstration Zone and the Changchun Xinglong Free Trade Zone.

At the same time, local officials also provided local businesses with economic and trade development information about Romania and Albania and other countries and regions.

Representatives from FAW Group -- the major auto manufacturer resident in Changchun -- indicated at the conference that the company was willing to develop and promote the new energy vehicles industry in the CEEC region in the future.

Participants in the conference talk with a business representative through remote online video on Aug 19. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

According to public data, from January to July 2020, the import and export volume of Jilin province was worth 72.15 billion yuan ($10.43 billion), with its total import and export volume ranked 23rd in China, and the growth rate of import and export ranked first in Northeast China.

Officials said the value of the import and export trade between the province and the 16 Central and Eastern European Countries during the period reached 11.47 billion yuan, with the major driver being the automobile industry.

The province's import and export volume to the countries involved in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has reached 20.29 billion yuan in the period, accounting for 28 percent of its total import and export volume.

Officials said there was huge potential for cooperation with BRI countries and the development prospects were very broad.