Ties have already been forged in the field of sport, tourism and culture, while the current talks are focusing on economic cooperation.

Friday's official reception for the delegation, consisting of local officials, heads of companies and organisations, was described by the Maribor authorities as one of the biggest when it comes to Chinese towns cooperating with Maribor.

While the current visit is expected to only bring preliminary talks, past joint projects include a visit by two Slovenian football coaches to China and this year's participation of a group of Chinese youths in a football camp in Maribor. Moreover, the first tourists from Wuxi visited Maribor in July, Wuxi official Yao Jianhua explained.

Economic ties are being forged this time, with future talks expected to be conducted at the level of the two towns' chambers of commerce and craft.

Maribor Deputy Mayor Zdravko Luketič described Wuxi and other towns in the region as the fastest growing in China and highlighted opportunities for cooperation among family companies.

According to Luketič, the Chinese guests also see opportunities in agriculture, while another idea is setting up a football coaching school in Wuxi with the help of Maribor's experience.