Qingdao Day aims to impress potential European investors

Qingdao enterprises impressed visitors from around the world at Expo Milano 2015 with local productions, unique cultural activities and artistic performances on Sept 17 on Qingdao Day in the Chinese Pavilion.

The day included displays of the city's scenery, ecological agriculture and oceanic industries, as well as an introduction fair about local enterprises in Qingdao and the time-honored brand Tsingtao beer.

Wang Junmin, director of the organizing committee of Shandong Week, hosted the opening ceremony for Qingdao Day with Zou Chuanning, deputy director of Qingdao People's Congress.

Zhang Wei, vice-president of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade; more than 120 representatives from international organizations; the organizers of Expo Milano 2015; and presidents of key national pavilions also attended the ceremony.

During the introduction fair for local enterprises, Feng Wenqing, head of the CCPIT Qingdao Sub-council, told guests, who included entrepreneurs from Italy and other European countries, about the investment environment in Qingdao and welcomed them to explore opportunities in the city.

Qingdao has been a key trading port in China for many years. After President Xi Jinping suggested the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, it became a key linking city and pivot point for China's maritime cooperation policies. This gives it incomparable geographic advantages for economic and trade cooperation.

Official data show that Qingdao's exports to Belt and Road Initiative countries reached $41.3 billion last year, accounting for 69 percent of the city's total, and investment in the same countries accounted for 44.6 percent of the city's total.

The trend has continued this year, with trade volume with Belt and Road Initiative countries hitting $17.0 billion in the first six months. During the same period, investment in the countries rose by 193.5 percent to reach $1.37 billion.

In a preparatory working conference for Qingdao Day, Li Qun, Party chief of Qingdao, said the city will play a key role in the Belt and Road Initiative, introduce quality investments, carry out sound exports and boost bilateral and multilateral cooperative programs in science research, education and cultural activities. "We will make our own contributions to the national strategy," Li said.

Qingdao has long been known around the world for its Tsingtao beer, cultural traditions and picturesque scenery nestled between the mountains and sea, according to Zou Chuanning.

As the host of the 2008 Olympics sailing competitions and an ancient trade port of the Silk Road in northern China during the Tang (AD 618-907) and Song (960-1279) Dynasties, Qingdao will play a key role in the Belt and Road Initiative.

"Today we will use the platform of Expo Milano 2015 to display the city's achievements in agriculture, science research, trade and culture under the theme of 'Qingdao: Capital of Yachting and the Beginning of the New Silk Road'," said Zou. "We also hope to acquire experiences from other nations through the platform, promote mutual understanding and boost cooperation to achieve common prosperity."

zhuanti@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/21/2015 page7)