A seminar on boosting bilateral cooperation and exchanges between China and Pacific island countries was held on Saturday in Liaocheng City of east China's Shandong Province, as the country has been promoting studies and research on the Pacific island region for years.
The seminar was jointly hosted by the China Social Sciences Press and Liaocheng University. During the seminar, books on the Pacific region were released.
According to scholars from the Liaocheng University, further progress in studies on the Pacific region will help develop a sustainable Blue Economy and enhance friendly relations between China and the region.
"Geographically, the Pacific island countries are along the southern route of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. They are one of our key targets for cooperation. It is very important for the Belt and Road Initiative. At the same time, the ocean is the largest ecosystem for human beings. It contains a huge amount of deep-sea resources. It could be an alternative for mankind's survival and development. Developing the Blue Economy has become a consensus of the international community," said Liang Jiarui, an associate professor at the Research Center for Pacific Island Countries of the university.
"Over the past 10 years or so, we have made gains at the Research Center for Pacific Island Countries of Liaocheng University. But on the global scale, this is just a beginning. We should dedicate more personnel, financial and material resources to it in the future. This not only strengthens ties between China and Pacific island countries, but also enhances friendly relations," said Ni Peng, a researcher at the center.
Seminar on cooperation between China, Pacific island countries held in Shandong
As China and France toast their 60-year milestone, the sister cities of Huzhou in east China's Zhejiang Province and French city of Montargis are leading the charge to fortify relations like never before, from enriching cultural exchanges to pioneering eco-friendly initiatives.
In separate interviews with China Global Television Network in late April, mayors of the two cities that blazed a trail of collaboration for 20 years shared that they have been keen to stay true to the China-France cooperation spirit and plans to foster greater interaction in the cultural sphere.
"For example, this October, we're planning to collaborate with the Ministry of Education's China National Committee for International Language Exchange, which runs a program called 'Chinese Bridge.' We'll be inviting 30 students from Lycee en Foret, Montargis, to join the 'Chinese Bridge' Autumn Camp in our city. This camp serves as a youth exchange program between sister cities of China and France," said Hong Hupeng, Mayor of Huzhou, the birthplace of the guiding concept of "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets".
On his side, Mayor Benoit Digeon takes pride in highlighting that 180 pupils are learning Chinese in local schools, with a special focus on nurturing next generation's cross-cultural understanding.
"We will focus everything on youth, young people who will come to attend classes in a college or high school. We have 180 young people in Montargis learning Chinese. So, these young people can blend into a group that will go to school with them. And then there are also artists and athletes. We want to bring a team of young basketball players from Montargis to compete with young Chinese basketball players. For those who went to China the previous year, we will invite their Chinese counterparts to come and vice versa with their families. And all this will create bonds, bonds of friendship. We start with the young and when they are 20, or 25 years old, they will be able to do that by themselves and have exchange visits with Huzhou," added Digeon.
Montargis is called "Little Venice" due to its charming watery cityscape. Located about 100 kilometers south of Paris, the town is not only a key tourist destination in France, but also boasts much historical significance.
Montargis is one of the top priorities for many Chinese tourists who wish to venerate early Chinese revolutionaries as it is the birthplace of the famous Work-Study Movement.
Between 1919 and 1921, many ambitious young Chinese went to France, where they worked in factories in Montargis and other French cities to pay for their studies. Many youngsters became interested in Marxism and established one of the earliest Chinese Communist groups in the European country. Deng Xiaoping, the late Chinese leader and the chief architect of China's reform and opening-up, was among these students.
Nowadays, with Montargis and Huzhou standing as shining examples of sister cities from both sides, the mayor of Huzhou emphasized the unique and profound connection between the two cities while the mayor of Montargis praised the rapid development of the Chinese city.
"I believe that Montargis has a unique and deep connection with China. Since the inception of our partnership, visits between our two cities have grown more frequent. Last May, I had the chance to visit Montargis for the first time, and the experience truly resonated with me. Throughout history, Chinese and French youths have played pivotal roles in nurturing the friendship between our two nations. During the 1920s, young Chinese intellectuals such as Deng Xiaoping and Chen Yi worked and studied in Montargis, laying the foundation for a profound and enduring connection between Montargis and China," said Hong.
"The meeting of Huzhou and Montargis, was a somewhat improbable encounter for a small town at that time. Huzhou was not the big city it has become, since at that time, President Xi Jinping had not yet proposed the concept of 'Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets' in Huzhou. But, it happened very quickly. We visited the city again a few days ago and it was amazing. All that has been done, we were really amazed," added Digeon.
Cities of China, France ready to strengthen cultural connections: mayors
Cities of China, France ready to strengthen cultural connections: mayors
