China-CEEC investments in Eastern Europe have changed significantly since the early 17+1 cooperation headlines. The opportunity is still real, but it is now shaped by electric vehicles, battery supply chains, logistics corridors, energy transition, EU screening, national politics and the need for stronger local trust.
This updated Tenba Group guide explains what China-CEEC investment means in 2026, where the opportunity is concentrated and how companies can approach China-related business development in Eastern Europe without ignoring regulatory and reputational risk.
What is China-CEEC cooperation?
China-CEEC cooperation refers to China’s engagement framework with Central and Eastern European countries. It was once widely known as the 16+1 and later 17+1 mechanism, connected with trade, infrastructure, investment, cultural exchange and Belt and Road cooperation. The format has evolved as some EU member states reassessed participation, but China continues to pursue trade and investment ties with the region.
For companies, the practical question is not whether a diplomatic label is fashionable. The real question is where Chinese capital, suppliers, technology, buyers and platforms are creating commercial openings in Eastern Europe, and how those openings can be approached responsibly.
The investment focus has shifted to EVs and batteries
The most important change is the rise of electric vehicles and battery supply chains. MERICS and Rhodium Group reported that Chinese FDI in Europe reached EUR 16.8 billion in 2025, the highest level since 2018. Hungary remained the primary destination, attracting EUR 3.9 billion in Chinese investment, while automotive investment made up the largest sector and was overwhelmingly focused on the EV supply chain.
This is why China-CEEC investment is no longer only about railways, bridges and broad Belt and Road infrastructure. Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia, Poland and nearby markets are increasingly evaluated through the lens of battery production, EV assembly, parts suppliers, logistics access, energy availability and proximity to EU customers.
Why Eastern Europe attracts Chinese companies
Eastern Europe can offer several advantages: manufacturing experience, lower operating costs than parts of Western Europe, access to EU markets in some countries, logistics corridors, industrial land, engineering talent and governments that may be more open to large greenfield projects. For non-EU countries in the Western Balkans, infrastructure and trade connectivity can also play a role.
At the same time, the region is not one market. Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Croatia and the Baltic states have different politics, EU positions, labor markets, infrastructure, public attitudes toward China and screening processes. A strategy that works in one country may fail in another.
Trade, consumer goods and the China-CEEC Expo
China-CEEC cooperation is also about trade. In May 2025, China’s State Councilor Shen Yiqin said China would continue to increase imports from CEECs, expand bilateral trade and pursue cooperation through Belt and Road projects at the fourth China-CEEC Expo in Ningbo. For Eastern European exporters, the opportunity can include food and beverage, wine, agriculture, cosmetics, tourism, education, industrial components and niche consumer brands.
But selling into China requires more than attending an expo. Brands need Chinese-language positioning, platform selection, distributor due diligence, social proof, content localization and a realistic channel strategy. Our guides to doing business in China, co-branding in China and China cross-border e-commerce explain related market-entry routes.
Risks: EU screening, subsidies and public trust
The opportunity comes with scrutiny. EU foreign direct investment screening, subsidy investigations, data-security concerns, procurement rules, labor issues and geopolitical tensions can affect Chinese projects in Europe. Large infrastructure, telecom, energy and technology projects are especially sensitive. Even when a deal is legally possible, public communication can determine whether it is accepted locally.
Companies should prepare for due diligence early: ownership structure, financing sources, government links, environmental impact, labor standards, local supplier benefits, data handling, technology transfer and community relations. These issues are not separate from marketing. They shape trust, media coverage and stakeholder acceptance.
How Eastern European companies can benefit
- Map the right Chinese counterparties: Identify buyers, investors, distributors, platforms, provincial partners and industry associations relevant to your sector.
- Prepare China-facing materials: Build Chinese websites, brochures, WeChat content, case studies and investor decks that speak to Chinese decision makers.
- Screen partners carefully: Check track record, ownership, payment behavior, regulatory exposure and local references.
- Localize value propositions: Explain why your country, product, technology or destination matters in Chinese commercial terms.
- Build relationships before transactions: Use trade fairs, WeChat follow-up, delegations, local advisors and ongoing content to develop trust.
- Plan public communication: Prepare stakeholder messages around jobs, local value creation, compliance and long-term cooperation.
Digital marketing’s role in China-CEEC business
China-CEEC investment and trade are often discussed as government or infrastructure topics, but digital marketing matters. Chinese investors, distributors, buyers, students and travelers research online before meetings. A company with no Chinese website, no WeChat presence, weak Baidu visibility and unclear Chinese materials looks less credible, even if its product is strong.
For B2B companies, a China-facing digital presence can support investor relations, partner discovery, trade fair follow-up and lead generation. For consumer brands, it can support e-commerce, social proof and distributor confidence. Our guides to creating a Chinese website, WeChat marketing and Baidu SEO are useful starting points.
The takeaway
China-CEEC investments in Eastern Europe are no longer just a broad Belt and Road story. In 2026, the strongest opportunities are tied to EVs, batteries, logistics, energy, selected trade categories and localized market-entry execution. The best strategies combine commercial ambition with compliance, partner screening and trust-building.
Tenba Group helps companies build China-facing market-entry strategies, Chinese websites, WeChat systems, Baidu visibility, localized content and partner communication for trade and investment development. If your organization wants to reach Chinese investors, buyers or partners, contact Tenba Group for practical China marketing support.
Sources: MERICS and Rhodium Group’s 2025 Chinese FDI in Europe update, the Chinese government’s report on the fourth China-CEEC Expo, and ECNS coverage of CNNIC’s 57th Statistical Report on China’s Internet Development.