H. E. Ambassador Wei Ruixing and his wife, Mr. Chen Lin, Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, Mr. Visvaldas Matijošaitis, Mayor of Kaunas, Mr. Simonas Kairys, Vice Mayor of Kaunas, Mr. Mindaugas Reinikis, Chairman of Lithuania-China Business Council, Mr. Benjaminas Žemaitis, President of Kaunas Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts, Prof. Ineta Dabašiaskienė, Vice Rector of Vytautas Magnus University, officials of Kaunas Municipal Government and representatives of both Lithuanian and Chinese business communities attended the Opening of the Exhibition.
The Exhibition showcased not only Shanghai's brand products in light industry, textile, electronics and IT industry with over 100 booths, but also intangible cultural heritage such as farmer paintings, lithographs, etc., attracting many visitors of Kaunas and nation wide. Basketball matches between relevant school teams were played and joint cultural performances were staged. These diverse events provided a good platform for the local public to have a better understanding of the City of Shanghai and the Chinese culture.
During the Exhibition, Shanghai Library donated 500 books to V. Kudirka Library Kaunas and relevant educational institutions of Shanghai and Kaunas shared their perspectives on education and exchanged their ideas on future cooperation. A business forum was also held, during which representatives from Enterprise Lithuania, Lithuania-China Business Council and a law firm in Kaunas made presentations on the competitiveness and investment environment of Lithuania. More than 60 Chinese and Lithuanian entrepreneurs participated in the forum and discussed the ways to have mutually beneficial cooperation.
Kaunas Mayor Visvaldas Matijošaitis met with the representatives of the exhibiters and organizers at his office. "I was an entrepreneur before taking office as Mayor of Kaunas, and I fully understand what entrepreneurs want to do and what challenges they face with in international business cooperation", said the Mayor. He encouraged the Chinese companies to invest or conduct business in Kaunas, promising to provide personal assistance to enhance business cooperation and support cultural exchanges between the two cities and the two countries.
Jointly building "the Belt and Road" and China and Central and Eastern European Countries Cooperation ("16+1 Cooperation") have lifted China-Lithuania bilateral relations to a new high. Just as expressed by Ambassador Wei in his opening remarks, "Sail of Shanghai" --- Cruising Exhibition of Economic and Cultural Cooperation along the Belt and Road, has brought the goodwill of China and Lithuania into pragmatic exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, which was conceived in the "the Belt and Road" initiative. With a series of economic and cultural events, this Exhibition served as best evidence of "People-to-People Bond" and "Unimpeded Trade" between China and Lithuania.