1. Xiamen, Guadalajara's friendship shown on CGTN program
The Chinese broadcaster CGTN launched a video exhibitions season in Mexico on Dec 10 as part of the China Documentary Festival.
This was on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Mexico in 2022.
By creating an online virtual exhibition hall and launching a feature film and a documentary, the exhibition reviewed the precious moments in the exchanges between the two countries over the past half century.
This also built a new platform for promoting people-to-people exchanges between China and Mexico.
The foreign affairs office of Xiamen city in East China's Fujian province took the initiative to contact CGTN and contributed valuable photos and video materials – reflecting the friendly exchanges between Xiamen and its sister city of Guadalajara in Mexico.
Through CGTN and foreign media platforms, Xiamen showcased its image as a modern and international city.
Guadalajara is the second largest city of Mexico and the capital of Jalisco State. It is an important center of technology, culture, innovation, education, business and tourism.
Xiamen and Guadalajara have conducted close exchanges and cooperation in commerce and trade, culture and other fields since they signed the sister-city agreement in August 2003.
2. Xiamen FAO officials visit consulates general
A delegation led by Zhang Quan, director general of the foreign affairs office of Xiamen in East China's Fujian province, visited the consulates general of the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand in the city on Dec 28.
They extended New Year's greetings to the consuls general and their consular officials and exchanged views on deepening bilateral practical cooperation in the coming year.
Zhang gave briefings on the economic and social development in Xiamen this year and talked about related policies to optimize the management of personnel exchanges between China and other countries.
Zhang also said that he hoped to work with the consulates general of the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand in Xiamen.
The goal is to deepen friendly mutual trust and practical cooperation in such areas as commerce and trade, investment, scientific and technological innovation, the digital economy, green and low-carbon development, education, healthcare and modern legal affairs.
3. Xiamen city holds New Zealand film festival
The 2022 Xiamen-New Zealand Film Festival opened in the coastal city of Xiamen in East China's Fujian province on Dec 27.
At the opening ceremony, Tory Whanau, mayor of Wellington – the capital of New Zealand and sister-city of Xiamen – sent her best wishes via video.
She said that as one of a series of events to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Xiamen and Wellington's sister-city relations, the festival showed that the cooperation between the two cities had become richer and richer.
The festival showcased a rich selection of stories created by New Zealand filmmakers. It is hoped that the event will help promote cooperation between the two cities, especially in the film and television industry, she added.
After the opening ceremony, a themed forum focusing on film exchanges and cooperation was held, with filmmakers and guests from China and New Zealand exchanging views.
The film festival, which runs to Dec 30, features four New Zealand films - covering science fiction, suspense, song and dance, comedy and other themes.
China announced and implemented on May 15 a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.
China and Georgia are set to waive visa requirements for travelers starting May 28.
