The memorandum was signed on behalf of the City of Sisak by the Mayor of the City of Sisak, Kristina Ikić Baniček, and on behalf of the CIMM Group, founder and director Ma Shujun, said in a statement.

Liaoning Vice-Governor Chen Xiangqun said 43.8 million people live in the province. It is one of the few with access to the sea and a highly developed transport infrastructure and a strong industrial base.

"But there is also a need to emphasize strength in science and innovation," the vice-governor said, noting that after China opened, the province cooperates with more than 200 countries in the world, and that many global companies have found their place in one of the province's 14 cities.

"We look forward to future collaborations. Today's signing of the memorandum is a new step in the development of bilateral relations," said State Secretary at the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Trade Zdenko Lucic.

Chinese Ambassador to Croatia Xu Erwen said that Liaoning Province has a strong industrial base and is pleased that this visit took place at a time when Croatian-Chinese relations are gaining momentum.