The Qingdao-Israel International Business Club was launched on Wednesday in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Qingdao, Shandong province, opened an international club for Israeli businesses on Wednesday, a further step to realizing its ambition to enhance opening-up despite the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Qingdao-Israel International Business Club is a comprehensive platform featuring exhibitions, marketing, roadshows, negotiations and trade for Israeli companies that are looking to the Chinese market, as well as Chinese enterprises seeking opportunities in Israel, said Wang Qingxian, Party chief of Qingdao.

Business services such as legal consulting, auditing, accounting, guidance for living and translation are available. The center expects to gather enterprises, professionals and organizations in Israel, Wang said at the launching ceremony. He expressed hope that the platform would help Qingdao become a new hub for Sino-Israeli scientific cooperation.

The Qingdao-Israel International Business Club covers 15,000 square meters. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Zvi Heifetz, Israel's ambassador to China, said the platform would bring new opportunities.

"I hope both sides will take advantage of the opportunity for cooperation in the fields of science and technology, various industries, economics, trade, education and culture," Heifetz said at the ceremony.

Several key deals were signed and a monthlong cultural event also kicked off.

At the same time, a digital version of the international business club was unveiled, offering services ranging from production and technology trade to a resource database and videoconference system.