Chinese, Nordic enterprises eye closer cooperation at ongoing 7th CIIE

A roundtable for Nordic enterprises was held in Shanghai on the sidelines of the ongoing 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) on Tuesday to further consolidate and deepen economic and trade cooperation between China and the Nordic countries.

The event was attended by the ambassadors to China from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and other countries, as well as representatives from nearly 40 Nordic companies and business associations.

They said that the Nordic governments attach great importance to economic and trade cooperation with China. The Nordic business community has always regarded China as one of the world's most important markets and is willing to promote cooperation between the two sides in investment and trade, green economy, and smart manufacturing.

"With the help of the CIIE platform, we have gained a deeper and more profound understanding of China's development, which has helped European and Nordic companies better understand China's macro market and business opportunities, and also strengthened our confidence in investing in China," said Li Wen, general manager of Dellner Coupler System Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of Dellner Couplers AB, a Swedish original equipment manufacturer of train connection systems.

They also believe that China and the Nordic countries have strong complementarity and great potential in economic and trade cooperation. Nordic companies have leading advantages in green and low-carbon development, and intelligent manufacturing, which are highly consistent with China's efforts to foster new quality productive forces.

At the meeting, central China’s Hubei Province introduced local investment opportunities.

"We also hope to further in-depth exchanges and interactions with the Nordic countries in the fields of green and low-carbon development, smart manufacturing, digital economy, artificial intelligence and new energy, continue to deepen trade and investment cooperation, and jointly promote technological progress and industrial upgrading," said Long Xiaohong, director of the Hubei Provincial Department of Commerce.

Running from Nov. 5 to 10 under the theme of "New Era, Shared Future," the 7th CIIE has attracted participants from 152 countries, regions, and international organizations to participate in its country exhibition and business exhibition.

Chinese, Nordic enterprises eye closer cooperation at ongoing 7th CIIE

A delegation of 40 students and teachers from seven Chinese mainland universities on Thursday wrapped up their nine-day visit to Taiwan. They set off for Taiwan on Nov. 27 and visited universities, historical sites, scenic spots, as well as sports, sci-tech and cultural venues on the island, widely engaging with locals throughout the tour.

The delegation made the tour at the invitation of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation.

"The young people from both sides of the Strait share the same root, and we are having a harmonious communication this time. We also welcome young people from Taiwan to visit the mainland for exchange," Cao Yibo, a student from Peking University, told reporters during the tour.

The delegation included table tennis Olympic champion Ma Long who studies at Beijing Sport University, and air rifle Olympic champion Yang Qian of Tsinghua University.

"In the future, I would like to visit Taiwan again. I did not expect that so many compatriots in Taiwan would come to welcome and us and pay so much attention to our exchange tour," Ma said.

Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, saw off the delegation at the airport on Thursday, and said the mainland students and teachers had received Taiwan residents' heartfelt welcome wherever they went.

"The farewell dinner party was held yesterday evening, when almost all students from the mainland shared their feelings. What moved me so much is that every one of them thanked people here, because the latter sincerely and warmly welcomed them wherever they went during the nine-day tour. They told me that when they go back, they will tell their relatives and friends that people in Taiwan are kind, hospitable and warm. I believe that is the most important purpose of the exchange across the Strait," he said.

Calling youth exchanges a foundation of cross-Strait relations in the future, Hsiao said the foundation will carry on and continue to promote such exchanges across the Strait.

This is the second delegation of mainland teachers and students visiting Taiwan at the invitation of the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, following the visit by a first delegation in July last year.

Delegation of mainland university students, teachers wraps up Taiwan visit