The coastal city of Qingdao, East China's Shandong province signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand economic cooperation with port city of Brest, northwestern France, at Qingdao’s Shangri-La Hotel on May 11.

The coastal city of Qingdao signs a Memorandum of Understanding concerning an economic partnership with Brest in France on May 11. [Photo/qdbofcom.gov.cn]

Attending the signing ceremony were Zhang Xinqi, mayor of Qingdao, Francois Cuillandre, mayor of Brest, Frank Bellion, president of Brest Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Liu Mingjun, deputy mayor of Qingdao.

Zhang said that Qingdao had enjoyed deepening relations with Brest in recent years and hoped that the two sides would have greater cooperation in port, energy saving, marine scientific research and business.

As one of the important harbors in northwestern France, Brest boasts advantages in marine scientific research and sailing sports.