Kolkata: In a bid to further the Sino-Bengal bilateral ties, China has expressed eagerness to invest in West Bengal.

"China is interested in investing in infrastructure development, tourism and auto hub and also considering to set up an economic investment zone," said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with a delegation led by Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao yesterday, She further said, China has assured to work closely with Bengal. The 12-member delegation included four ministers from China.

Li Yuanchao disclosed during the meeting that China has chosen West Bengal as their first preferred destination for investment.

"I requested the vice president to send a strong business delegation to the Bengal Global Business Summit in January 2016 to which he responded very positively," Banerjee told reporters.

Li also visited Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral house at Jorasanko, which is now part of the Rabindra Bharati university campus.

West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi hosted a lunch in honour of the visiting leader.

(Picture Courtesy:www.indianexpress.com)