Jinan has great potential in cooperation with Central Asia, according to Li Zijun, deputy mayor of Jinan, who made his remarks at the Conference on Dialogue of China-Central Asia Cooperation on May 13.

Jinan's foreign trade with the five Central Asian countries totaled 742 million yuan ($110.7 million), with a year-on-year growth of 84.5 percent in 2018.

In the first quarter of 2019, the figure continued to increase with a year-on-year growth of 145.5 percent.

A total of 67 Europe-Asia freight trains have been run so far in 2019, boosting foreign trade between Jinan and Central Asia. The total value of goods shipped and received is around $128 million, up 134 percent year-on-year.

"We hope to take the opportunity of this dialogue to deepen cooperation with Central Asia in more fields under the Belt and Road Initiative framework," Li said.

The city is expected to push cooperation with Central Asia in 10 major fields such as intelligent manufacturing, high-end equipment, modern logistics and quantum technologies.

Jointly hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Jinan municipal government, the conference provided a platform to promote industrial cooperation and cultural exchange between Central Asian countries and China.

A total of six agreements were signed at the forum including the Cooperation Agreement of the Jinan Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Chinese Research Center in Kazakhstan.

Li Zijun, deputy mayor of Jinan, delivers a keynote speech at the fourth Conference on Dialogue of China-Central Asia Cooperation on May 13 in Jinan, Shandong province. [Photo/ijinan.e23.cn]

The Jinan Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Chinese Research Center in Kazakhstan sign a cooperative agreement on May 13. [Photo/ijinan.e23.cn]