Zhanjiang and Portsmouth, UK, become sister cities on May 11. [Photo/chinesebg.com]

During its visit to France, the delegation was warmly received by local governments. Its first stop was the capital Paris where the delegation toured CGN Europe Energy, Guangdong Economic and Trade Office in France and the Guangdong Guild Hall.

Liu Yugang, vice president of CGN Europe Energy, said he expected to showcase the company's newly-developed offshore wind drifting technology at the 2017 China Marine Economy Expo as well as organize French marine enterprises to attend the event. In his talk with the local officials of Nice, Ou introduced the development in Zhanjiang and sought cooperation with the city in tourism, economy and trade and cultural education. Letters of intent for exchange and cooperation are likely to be signed in the near future between the two coastal cities.

For many years, Brest was the most important port in France to be accessed by the Americas, which gave birth to its booming shipbuilding industry. Local shipbuilding companies showed a keen interest to attend the expo and invest in Zhanjiang.

The European visit came to an end with communications among the delegation, local officials and Zeng Jiancheng, vice president of University of Portsmouth. Under the memorandum of cooperation and exchange, the two sister cities will further cement cooperation in educational exchanges, joint educational programs and scientific research.