'Hamburg Summit': Call for deepening Chinese-European cooperation Chamber of Commerce President Bergmann urges joint action to counter protectionism

Hamburg (ots) - Chamber of Commerce President Tobias Bergmann
opened the eighth 'Hamburg Summit: China meets Europe', running
November 26 to 27 in the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce. Given the
current uncertainty in the global political situation, Bergmann
called for a clear commitment to counter protectionist tendencies in
world trade: "We would encourage China to work along with the EU
towards rules-based trading within the framework of the WTO. In this,
China and Europe need to further strengthen their partnership with a
view to taking on greater responsibility globally."

Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of
Hamburg stressed the importance of the "Hamburg Summit" for deepening
Chinese-German trade relations: "Hamburg is the gateway to China. An
open dialogue about free trade and exchange of goods bolsters
Hamburg's position as a hub for international goods flows."

In his opening address, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder,
who serves as Honorary Chairman of the 'Hamburg Summit', stressed the
significance of cooperation between China and Europe on an equal
footing: "Cooperation rather than confrontation should characterize
relations between countries - even where their political and economic
systems differ," said the former chancellor, who was at the Chamber
of Commerce in the company of his wife Soyeon Schröder-Kim. For this
reason, personal interaction and open discussion were particularly
important, he said. The 'Hamburg Summit' had made a major
contribution to this for the past 14 years, Schröder said, stressing
the special role of the 'New Silk Road' initiative.

"I'm convinced that China's New Silk Road in particular will bring
the people and economies of Asia and Europe even closer together,"
Schröder said. Following on from his speech, Angela Titzrath, chair
of the HHLA port and logistics company, outlined Hamburg's strategic
role as the most important terminus and hub of the landward and
maritime Silk Road in Europe. Dr Song Hailiang, President of the
China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), was presented with
the China-Europe Friendship Award, which is traditionally awarded
during the 'Hamburg Summit', in honour of his exceptional work for
Chinese-European relations.

You will find up-to-date reports, background information and image
material on the 'Hamburg Summit: China meets Europe' 2018 at
www.hamburg-summit.com or on Twitter: www.twitter.com/HamburgSummit.

Since 1665, the Chamber of Commerce self-governing body of
Hamburg's commercial economy. It represents the interests of around
160,000 businesses vis-a-vis the political and administrative
authorities, as a customer-oriented service provider for its member
companies and independent advocate for the market, competition and
fair play. We advise companies, we combine interests and we train
people. More than 700 business men and women from industry, commerce
and the services sector work for us in an honorary capacity on more
than 30 boards as chosen representatives of their sectors. They make
a decisive contribution to the way the Chamber of Commerce forms
opinions. In addition, 4,000 company representatives conduct the
tests in dual training in an honorary capacity that the state has
transferred to us by law as a sovereign duty. Our motto is: "We work
for Hamburg."

Contact:
Dr Michaela Ölschläger,
PR & Media Director, Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, www.hk24.de
Tel: 040-36138-202, Fax: 040 36138-460,
email: michaela.oelschlaeger@hk24.de

Original-Content von: Handelskammer Hamburg, übermittelt durch news aktuell