Ningbo uses books to strengthen East Asian cultural ties at World Expo Osaka

The Chinese city of Ningbo is using books to deepen cultural ties with its Japanese sister cities at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka.

Ningbo of east China's Zhejiang province on Sunday hosted a friendship city dialogue and presented reprinted works by Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) philosopher Wang Yangming -- whose teachings once inspired Japan's modernization.

"Wang Yangming's Confucian ideas show how much our cultures share. Such wisdom is valuable for today's world," said Nakakoji Kengo, mayor of Nagaokakyo.

Guests shared how his ideas still resonate, encouraging people in both countries to connect and learn from each other.

"By sharing books, we hope China and Japan can draw strength from our shared cultural heritage," said Gong Yingyan, a professor at Ningbo University.

"'Unity of Knowledge and Action' guides how I lead my company," said Kazuo Yamamori, chairman of Kyokuto Die-Casting Co., Ltd.

By gifting these classic works, Ningbo hopes to keep its legacy as a cultural bridge alive -- building deeper trust and exchange with Japan.

Osaka Expo 2025 runs from April 13 to October 13. The China Pavilion, one of the largest foreign self-built pavilions at the event, officially opened on April 13.

The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, weakened 32 pips to 6.7905 against the U.S. dollar Tuesday, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.

In China's spot foreign exchange market, the yuan is allowed to rise or fall by 2 percent from the central parity rate each trading day.

The central parity rate of the yuan against the U.S. dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day.