The port city of Qingdao, Shandong province sent a delegation to the capital of Turkey, Istanbul, to its Investment Support and Promotion Agency, on Dec 17, where they had a chance to talk with the agency's deputy director general, Arda Ermut, about China's "New Silk Road Economic Belt" and "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" strategy that involves countries along the routes both by land and sea.

The head of the group, Zhang Xinqi, Qingdao's mayor, described his city's industrial development in ship building, petroleum, steel, textiles, garments and food, and said he hopes the two cities can work together to promote the two routes.

Ermut responded by saying that Turkey will pay greater attention to Qingdao in its cooperation with China and that he will visit Qingdao in the coming year to facilitate cooperation between the two cities' enterprises.

Taking part in the activity were Ma Weigang, head of Qingdao's commerce bureau, Cui Weidong, head of its foreign affairs office and Wang Yajun, director of the urban planning bureau.

Turkey's Investment Support and Promotion Agency promotes Turkish investment and services for foreign companies in Turkey, with more than 30 branches overseas. It held a promotion activity in Qingdao at the end of October.