The Seventh China–CEEC Local Leaders' Meeting and 2026 Shandong International Sister Cities Cooperation and Exchange Week will take place from May 25 to 29. Under the theme "Hand in Hand for a Shared Future", the event will be headquartered in Jinan, with sub‑venues in Binzhou, Linyi, and Zibo, and special visits to Tai'an and Jining.

More than 20 activities are planned, including an opening ceremony, a China-CEEC local leaders' dialogue, a top provincial governors meeting, a high‑quality development promotion, and business matchmaking sessions. Concurrent events include the 2026 annual meeting of the China–CEEC Modern Agricultural Science and Education Innovation Alliance, a forum on industry‑education integration, and a special concert.

Shandong has a long history of sister‑city cooperation, having established 89 pairs of sister provinces and states, and 677 pairs of sister cities with 109 countries.

This year's event will bring together foreign guests from 39 countries, along with Chinese national and provincial leaders, and representatives from various sectors to attend bilateral meetings, exhibitions, and business talks.

Key outcomes include new friendship ties with Belarus' Minsk region, Greece's Ionian region, and Uzbekistan's Jizzakh region, as well as the opening of the Novi Sad Friendship City Garden in Jinan and over 40 economic and trade projects. More than 10 provincial departments, leading enterprises such as Shandong Port, Shandong Heavy Industry, and Shandong Hi‑Speed Group, as well as universities, will be deeply involved.