Wishing a warm welcome to the delegation from Dalian led by the president of the City Council, Huai Zhongmin, mayor Obersnel expressed his satisfaction with the fact that the two cities develop successful co-operation.
"During my last visit to Dalian in August of this year, I was impressed by the development of Dalian. I am confident that we can develop further co-operation in the field of port activities, the exchange of our university professors and students, and encourage tourism. During the visit to the city I was impressed by the Technology Park stretching over a surface of 150 sq. km, considering the fact that we also plan the construction of a technology park, this field also offers a possibility for establishing cooperation ", said mayor Obersnel.
Further to the mayor, the delegation consisting of seven members was also received by the president of the City Council Dorotea Pešić Bukovac, vice mayor Željko Jovanović, president of the Board in charge of intercity and international cooperation of the City Council, Ernest Cukrov and the director of the Tourist Board of the City of Rijeka Petar Škarpa.
The port city of Dalian in Liaoning province, has a population of 6.2 million inhabitants and an area of 13,000 sq. km, it is the China's most dynamic city, the most southern port in southeast China with huge development potentials. It is also a university, cultural and industrial centre, and is in particular famous for the development of tourism. In 2006 in Dalian the Friendship Cooperation Agreement was signed between Dalian and Rijeka, and on that occasion in Dalian the manifestation Croatian Days – The Day of Rijeka was organised as well as a presentation of economic and touristic potentials of Rijeka and Kvarner. A delegation of the City of Rijeka and the Tourist Board of the City of Rijeka visited Dailan in August of the current year.
The president of the Dalian City Council Huai Zhongmin, thanking for the reception, pointed out that Dalian and the respective province have excellent co-operation with the City of Rijeka and the Primorje - Gorski Kotar County. Namely, apart from the fact that the City of Rijeka established friendly co-operation with Dalian, the Primorje - Gorski Kotar County established friendly co-operation with Liaoning province.
"Rijeka and Dalian are similar in the industry and urban tourism so that cooperation possibilities are exceptional. During August we held very meaningful talks about further co-operation, which could be deepened to the fields of science, education, port activities and culture," said Huai Zhongmin.
Furthermore, he invited mayor Obersnel to visit Dalian with a delegation next year, where in September the Economy Forum will be held, while in October East Asian Tourism Fair.
The delegation of the City of Dalian remains in Rijeka until 13 November, and they will meet with the representatives of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce – County Chamber Rijeka, the Port of Rijeka Authority and the Port of Rijeka and will visit the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rijeka, the Maritime and History Museum of the Croatian Littoral in Rijeka and will take sightseeing tours to Trsat, Opatiju and Kastav.
(S.R.)