On October 22, government officials and representatives from associations and companies of 11 central and western European countries and 15 EU nations, officials from EU’s diplomatic missions and embassies in China, and those from Chengdu and Sichuan Province, as well as representatives from industrial clusters and parks across China, assembled in Chengdu to exchange views on how to further cooperation between central and eastern Europe and western China. Some participants expressed that with rapid economic and social development, Chengdu will undoubtedly be a new investment destination for central and western Europe.

Dr. Christoph Leitl, Chairman of Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, said at the forum that situated at the intersection between the Silk Road economic belt and Yangtze River economic belt, Chengdu shows a huge potential of becoming a new and globally powerful platform for international cooperation. “Due to its increasing opening-up and its geographically advantageous location, Chengdu will be a reliable business partner for central and western European countries,” he added.

“I came as a student to Chengdu in 1992, and the city left a deep impression on me,” said Mr. Joerg Wuttke，president of European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (EUCCC). “Although Chengdu is an inland city, it has already made close connection with the central and western European countries thanks to its convenient transportation and full opening-up . Rich human resources are one of the city’s attractiveness for foreign investors. It has become a new investment destination for central and western Europe in recent years. As far as I know numerous members of the EUCCC, who are attached by the city’s cultural charm and huge market potential, are planning to establish partnership with Chengdu.”

“In my opinion, western China, especially Sichuan Province and Chengdu, will play a significant role in improving future cooperation between China and Czech,” said Vladimir Bartl, deputy minister of Industry and Trade for the Czech Republic, “ Czech has had mature technologies in the fields of biomedicine, environmental protection, new energy development and modern agriculture, etc. Chengdu performances well in these areas. The EU-China Business & Technology Cooperation Fair is a helpful platform for more cooperative opportunities between us and Chengdu. In addition, we are exhibiting some products of general aviation industry at the Western China International Fair to promote our industrial growth.”