On 11^th March, Mr Yan Zhiping, vice chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Xiamen Committee (CCPIT Xiamen), led a small delegation to visit the European Chamber’s South China Chapter office. The delegation met with Peter Helis, vice chair of the South China Chapter and Ivan Shang, board member of South China Chapter. Mr Yan introduced some of Xiamen’s key industries and expressed a strong interest to work with the European Chamber. 

The four specific areas for cooperation proposed by the CPPIT were: 1) extending an invitation to the European Chamber to organise delegations to join the second Import Expo in Xiamen; 2) hosting match-making symposiums to try and attract more European investment to Xiamen; 3) establishing a regular mechanism for cooperation; and 4) jointly exploring the possibility to hold events similar to the China Europe Investment & Innovation Conference (CEIIC ). Mr Yan also mentioned that the European Chamber can make use of the CCPIT’s network to promote its publications such as the Position Paper and the Business Confidence Survey.

European Chamber representatives expressed their interest in knowing more about projects taking place in Xiamen, as well as potential business opportunities between the European Chamber members and companies in Xiamen. The Position Paper was also introduced as the Chamber's main advocacy publication, and presented to Mr Yan.

Mr Yan said that the CCPIT Xiamen currently has 2,200 member companies, and its main functions include promoting international trade, attracting foreign investment, assisting outbound investment and enhancing business opportunities between members. Key new industries in Xiamen include electronic components, mobile screens, software, information services, tourism and exhibitions, logistics, financial services, machinery and semi-conductors. The city’s new projects include the construction of six metro lines and a high-speed rail connection with surrounding cities. Mr Yan also named some of Xiamen’s biggest companies, which include Youda, ABB, Linde and Boeing.