A Qingdao business delegation, led by Guo Jian, deputy director general of Qingdao’s bureau of commerce, visited London, Geneva and Vienna from July 28 to Aug 6 to draw on experience in the construction of a modern market system.

During the delegation's visit to the China-Britain Business Council in London, the two sides reached agreements on further cooperation in wholesale markets for agricultural products, second-hand automobiles, and the events industry.

The delegation visited fairs and commercial areas in Geneva, Switzerland to learn from local experience in layout, management, product quality and safety, and the introduction of local specialties.

Whilst in Europe they also discussed Hidrostal AG's new project in Qingdao. The company intends to invest $20 million into a pump manufacturing base in Jimo county.

In Austria, the delegation learned about wholesale and retail markets, agricultural products, and food quality and safety, whilst visiting the Inzersdorf Market and numerous agricultural companies. They made agreements with Austria's largest wholesale market on systems for information exchange and market cooperation.