Speaker Josip Leko said the political relations between the two countries were very good and friendly, without outstanding issues, and that it was necessary to strengthen economic cooperation.
The economic relations so far have not followed the high degree of political cooperation and a step forward in the new cooperation was made in late August, when a Croatian delegation visited China, as well as by this return visit, Leko said.
China is Croatia's main partner in Asia, so it is important to continue to cooperate on the political, bilateral and multilateral fronts as well as expand cooperation with Chinese provinces and cities so that Croatia can even out the disproportion in trade, Leko said.
Of today's forum he expects open talks and concrete contracts, if not this year, then in 2015.
Yangzhou Deputy Mayor Ding Chun said the goal of the Chinese delegation's visit was to strengthen economic cooperation.
Infrastructure, the auto industry, tourism, food, pharmacy, and shipbuilding are just some of the cooperation possibilities, he said, calling on Croatian travel agencies to open offices in Yangzhou.
The forum was organised by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, presenting Chinese and Croatian companies from the fields of tourism, construction, car part manufacturing etc.
The CEO of Croatia's Podravka, Zvonimir Mrsic, said the food company would focus on China next year as a strategic market. He said Podravka was not only interested in exporting but also in knowing the market and participating in its growth.
Rijeka Port Authority head Vedran Devcic said the company had a history of economic relations with China, with a significant part of trade between this part of Europe and China passing through the northern Adriatic port, which he said was equipped and had the capacities for new quantities of goods.
Yangzhou city representatives said that, visiting the Zagreb Trade Fair, they suggested that Chinese partners take part in the renovation of the Chinese Pavilion.