In-depth discussions are held during the 11 sessions of the fair, which attracted 2,800 European companies and some 5,200 Chinese companies. [Photo/China Daily]

A platform for diplomacy

Chengdu established a sister city relationship with 13 EU cities including French Montpellier and German Bonn in recent years, and opened five direct routes connecting EU cities such as Paris and Frankfurt.

Dai Yiling, president at the EU Project Innovation Center (Chengdu), said: "The EU-China Business and Technology Cooperation Fair has become an important platform for diplomacy, investment, scientific and technological exchanges and trade cooperation for EU member states and regions in western China."

According to Dai, the 11 sessions of the fair attracted more than 2,800 European companies and some 5,200 Chinese companies, and provided more than 23,800 enterprise matchmaking negotiations.

The Chengdu Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone was among the organizers of the first phase of this year's fair.

The zone announced a deal with Sophia Antipolis, its sister park in France, to initiate a mentor program to boost business and investment opportunities.

Mentors, including the CEO of Sophia Antpolis, will explore bilateral innovation cooperation mechanisms in fields such as science, technology and e-commerce.

The project aims to help companies' excellent people to gain new skills relating to innovation and entrepreneurship, such as confidence, independence and teamwork.

The zone plans to send young corporate leaders to the French scientific and technological park to get training and take part in scientific and technological companies' management work. The French park will do the same thing.

The second phase of the fair was convened in Qingdao on Nov 6-8.