Credit: Chronicle.lu
On Tuesday 24 September 2024, the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce held a Country Seminar focussing on business opportunities in China, in advance of the upcoming trade mission to China from 23-30 November 2024.
China is the world's second-largest economy by nominal GDP and the largest by purchasing power parity (PPP). It is also the world's largest manufacturing economy and the first exporter of goods.
The seminar included a presentation by Alibaba Benelux and was followed by a networking lunch, after which the event concluded with a B2B matchmaking session between Luxembourg companies and Chinese experts.
At the same time, China's Ambassador to Luxembourg, Hua Ning, who delivered an Opening Speech at the event, hosted a reception at the Chinese Embassy in Luxembourg-Dommeldange the celebrate China's National Day and the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the country.
Following the playing of the national anthems of both Luxembourg and China, Ambassador Hua Ning addressed the 250+ guests, in English, in a large marquee erected in the embassy grounds.
He explained that this was the first time since 2019 that the Chinese national day celebrations have been held at the embassy. He said that the China-Luxembourg collaboration in the steel industry can be traced back to the late 19th century, and he was delighted that the embassy is located in the Dommeldange castle which was built in 1854, in the area that is synonymous with the steel industry here.
He mentioned that he has just returned from a trip to China where he visited many regions and cities. He stated that China's emphasis is on green development, including both green energy and the manufacture of electric vehicles; as well as a focus on innovation-driven development, with many people now discovering - through avenues including culture and tourism - many new developments, with China continuing to develop its business environment. During his recent trip, he also noticed a substantial increase in international tourists which now have almost reached pre-Covid levels of 2019.
He talked about China's place in contributing to the global economic recovery, with China-Luxembourg relations being extended this past year; he also mentioned in this context the development of the Air Silk Road, the start of direct flights last December between the two countries, as well as cultural exchanges between the two countries which include the Dragon Boat Festival on the River Moselle.
The formal part of the event was followed by a cultural performance including music, song, dance and acrobatics, with eight musicians and sixteen performers from Wuhan province, dressed in colourful costumes and with their faces ornately decorated.
A walking buffet lunch concluded the event.
