The coastal city of Qingdao, East China's Shandong province held a business seminar themed Belt and Road Initiative in Tel Aviv, Israel on April 21.

The Belt and Road Initiative, namely the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, was put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013.

There was also a documentary, Trade with Qingdao, shown at the gathering and an address by Liu Mingjun, Qingdao's deputy mayor, on Qingdao's urban development strategy and cooperation opportunities in accordance with the central government's Belt and Road Initiative.

The coastal city of Qingdao, East China's Shandong province holds a business seminar themed Belt and Road Initiative in Tel Aviv, Israel on April 21. [Photo/qdbofcom.gov.cn]

Liu expressed his hope of deepening collaboration with Israel on trade, environmental protection and culture, and said that the city government would organize local enterprises to take part in the Israeli commodity exhibition, agricultural cooperation forum and innovation projects.

Sabine Segal, vice-president of the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute, said that Qingdao and Israel had enjoyed frequent economic and trade cooperation since the two sides signed cooperation agreement in 2013. The export & international cooperation institute set about sending Israeli hi-tech enterprises to visit Qingdao, said Segal.

Executives from six Qingdao-based companies had in-depth talks with leaders of more than 40 Israeli enterprises, some of which voiced their intents to cooperate with Qingdao enterprises.