The Croatian - Chinese Economic Forum marked the beginning of the official visit of Hu Jintao, President of the People’s Republic of China who was accompanied by approximately 250 Chinese business people.
The fact that the Economic Forum was opened prior to several bilateral meetings speaks of the importance of economic cooperation between two countries, and of the fact that politicians will seek to provide additional impetus for it in the meetings to be held.
This was highlighted by President Stjepan Mesić in his opening remarks at the Forum. While inviting Chinese business people to invest in Croatia, President Mesić pointed out that the best projects for that would be the construction of the new Zagreb Airport and of the harbor in Ploče.
Chinese President Hu Jintao, on the other hand, invited Croatia to raise its level of mutual political trust, to increase the amount of mutual trade and to expand on the number of sectors for cooperation between two countries. 
President Hu singled out the fact that China has, as a large and significant economy, through its cooperation with governments of other countries in the world, including Croatia, shown willingness to help stabilize and renew the global economy which was hit by the financial crisis.
Alongside representatives from 250 Chinese companies, almost 200 Croatian companies participated as well at the Economic Forum, and following the plenary session, individual business discussions will commence.