This February 2026, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (GZS) hosted a briefing on the 15th Five-Year Plan of the People’s Republic of China for Economic and Social Development (2026–2030). The event was jointly organised by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Slovenia and the Slovenian-Chinese Business Council (SCBC) at the Chamber to present China’s key development priorities and discuss their significance for the Slovenian economy.
Participants were welcomed by Vesna Nahtigal, Director-General of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, who emphasised the importance for Slovenian companies of understanding the strategic directions of one of the world’s largest economies. According to her, the Five-Year Plan represents not only a national development document but also an important signal to global partners regarding future priorities in innovation, industrial transformation, digitalisation and sustainable development.
“Today we are addressing one of the key questions of the modern global economy: how to understand the strategic development direction of one of the world’s largest economies and how to translate these priorities into concrete opportunities for Slovenian companies,” Director-General Nahtigal emphasised.
She also highlighted economic cooperation between the two countries. In 2025, China was already Slovenia’s fourth-largest trading partner, with imports exceeding €9 billion and exports reaching almost €250 million, though the export potential of Slovenian companies remains largely untapped.
The event was also addressed by Meira Hot, Vice-President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, who noted that Five-Year Plans have long been the cornerstone of China’s governance model, representing a structured and long-term approach to development. In her view, the new plan places strong emphasis on high-quality economic growth, technological innovation, the green transition and balanced regional development—particularly important in times of global uncertainty.
“In today’s interconnected world, national development strategies also have global consequences. Areas such as climate change, technology governance and energy security require cooperation across borders,” Hot stressed.
An opening address was also delivered by Žiga Vavpotič, President of the Slovenian-Chinese Business Council at the Chamber, who highlighted the strong interest in the event and the importance of dialogue in developing economic relations.
“When more than 170 people register for an event, the numbers speak louder than political slogans—they speak about curiosity, opportunities and how people perceive China,” he said.
He emphasised that trust can only grow through dialogue, visits and joint projects, and announced three concrete opportunities already planned for this year: a May business delegation to Chengdu (more information available) marking the 45th anniversary of the sister-city partnership between Ljubljana and Chengdu, participation in the China International Import Expo in November, and a December delegation focused on the automotive and mobility industries.
The central part of the event was dedicated to presenting the development directions of the new Five-Year Plan, delivered by H.E. Kang Yan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Slovenia.
In her address, she emphasised that Five-Year Plans have for decades served as a key mechanism of China’s strategic development.
“The Five-Year Plan is not merely a document—it is an institutional mechanism that transforms a vision of the future into concrete results,” she stated.
According to the Ambassador, the 15th Five-Year Plan will continue the transition toward high-quality development, based on industrial modernisation, technological innovation, strengthening the domestic market and accelerating the green transition. China will pay particular attention to the development of advanced industries such as artificial intelligence, new materials, hydrogen energy, biotechnology and sixth-generation mobile communications.
The Ambassador also highlighted numerous opportunities for cooperation with Slovenian companies in areas including advanced manufacturing, green technologies, the pharmaceutical industry, and logistics and supply chains.
“Partnership with China means partnership with opportunities—investing in China means investing in the future,” she emphasised.
The event also included a roundtable discussion, moderated by Žiga Vavpotič, President of the Slovenian-Chinese Business Council. Participants included:
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Jaka Kavčič, Sales and Marketing Director at Domel
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Urban Pevnik, Director of Hiproject
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Boštjan Pečnik, Executive Vice President of Hisense Slovenia for Kitchen Products, the European R&D Centre and Quality
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Danica Purg, Founder and Dean of IEDC – Bled School of Management
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Zeng Wenfeng, Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy of the PRC in Ljubljana
The discussion was dynamic and focused on practical opportunities for Slovenian companies in the context of China’s priorities such as technological self-sufficiency, the green transition and supply-chain integration. Particular attention was drawn to the presentation of an advanced robot developed by the Slovenian company Hiproject, symbolising the connection between knowledge, automation, artificial intelligence and high-tech industry—fields at the core of the new plan.
After the official programme, Dr Miroslav Gregorič delivered the closing remarks, summarising the key points of the event and emphasising the importance of sustainable and innovative cooperation between Slovenia and China for shared prosperity.
As an unforgettable surprise and cultural highlight of the event, Magnifico, one of Slovenia’s most renowned musicians, performed live. Known for his distinctive musical style and captivating stage presence, he once again delivered a memorable experience for the audience. The hall was filled with the sounds of popular songs such as “Tivoli” and “Hir Aj Kam, Hir Aj Go”, creating a vibrant and positive atmosphere. The performance was accompanied by a skilful dance by the Hiproject robot, symbolising the intersection of technology and culture. Representatives of the Chinese Embassy as well as members of the Chinese business and cultural community in Slovenia, were delighted by the performance.
After the performance, communication expert Vanja Kavčič and Žiga Vavpotič, President of the Slovenian-Chinese Business Council, briefly spoke with Magnifico. The conversation focused on cooperation between Slovenian and Chinese artists and the opportunities for mutual collaboration, exchange of experiences and deeper cultural understanding. They also discussed the possibility of Magnifico performing in Chengdu during the celebration of the 45th anniversary of friendship between the City of Ljubljana and Chengdu in May 2026, as well as the growing curiosity of Slovenian artists about China and the broader potential for artistic and interpersonal exchange between the two countries.
The event offered valuable insights into China’s future development priorities, which were officially discussed by the National People’s Congress on 5 March 2026. The meeting therefore represented an important step toward new forms of cooperation between the Slovenian and Chinese economies. After the official programme, participants continued discussions during informal networking, full of inspiration and new ideas.
The doors are open. Opportunities await.
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