News Share (Nov 1-15)

1. Local governments of China, Japan, ROK facilitate exchange

Officials of the foreign affairs office of Xiamen attend the 22nd China-Japan-ROK Exchange Conference for Friendship Cities by video on Nov 3. [Photo/WeChat account: XIAMENFAO]

The 22nd China-Japan-ROK Exchange Conference for Friendship Cities was held in Seoul, the Republic of Korea (ROK) from Nov 3 to 5. 

Li Xiaoping, director of the foreign affairs office of Xiamen, Fujian province, attended the opening ceremony by video.

Themed around "local governments' efforts and functions in the post-pandemic era", the conference gathered local government officials, representatives of institutions, and scholars from the three countries to discuss policies to revitalize the regional economy and responses to epidemics.

"China, Japan, and ROK are important neighbors of each other. The long-term and healthy relationships between the three countries will not only benefit the countries and their people, but also help the stable and prosperous development of Asia and even the world," said Lin Songtian, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

2. Students from Xiamen, Sasebo talk online

Students from Xiamen Foreign Language School and Sasebo Hiroda Middle School conduct exchanges through online video on Nov 8. [Photo/WeChat account: XIAMENFAO]

An online exchange activity between Xiamen Foreign Language School and Sasebo Hiroda Middle School was held on Nov 8, with more than 60 students and teachers from both schools, as well as government officials taking part.

During the activity, students briefed each other about their schools and campus life, sang songs, as well as played music instruments. They also exchanged ideas on Chinese and Japanese cuisines, their hobbies, as well as school work.

Lin Na, executive vice-president of the Xiamen Municipal People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, also attended the activity and delivered a speech.

Lin said that Sasebo was one of Xiamen's first international friendship cities and that the two sides have since been working to deepen cooperation and exchange in various fields.

Xiamen Foreign Language School and Sasebo Hiroda Middle School established the friendship school ties in 2018, which opened a new chapter in the two cities' cooperation, according to Lin.

Lin said that although offline exchanges have been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, bilateral ties have been strengthened as they have both been concerned and helped each other during the pandemic.

3. Xiamen talks with Chinese embassy in Brazil about BRICS innovation center 

Xiamen government officials hold a video meeting with the Chinese embassy in Brazil on Nov 10. [Photo/WeChat account: XIAMENFAO]

The Office of the Xiamen Leading Group for the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution Innovation Center, the foreign affairs office of Xiamen, and the Chinese embassy in Brazil held a video meeting on Nov 10, discussing how to promote the construction of the BRICS innovation center.

Huang Xiaozhou, director of the BRICS office and vice-mayor of Xiamen, briefed the attendees about the efforts that the center has made over the past year in policies coordination, talent training, project development, as well as international exchanges.

Huang expressed his hope to facilitate communication with the embassy in future work, in an effort to ink more cooperation deals with Brazil.

Yang Wanming, Chinese ambassador to Brazil, also gave a detailed introduction on Brazil's development and demands for international cooperation, as well as offered advice on the construction of the BRICS innovation center.

Yang said that the embassy will also promote Xiamen to more cities in Brazil, as well as help expand the channels for cultural exchange, trade, and investment between the two sides.