Officials of Guiyang and Japan hope to strengthen cultural, biz ties

The new Consul General of Japan in Chongqing Nobuyuki Watanabe agreed to boost the exchange between Guiyang and Japan and expand the fields and scope of cooperation in his talk with deputy mayor of the capital city of Guizhou province.

Sun Zhiming, deputy mayor of Guiyang, and Nobuyuki Watanabe held in-depth discussions on June 20, 2019, on exchanges and cooperation in commerce, trade, tourism, and culture. 

Sun briefed him on Guiyang's economic and social development. Guiyang is one of the fastest-developing provincial capitals in China in recent years and has strong momentum and considerable potential, according to Sun. 

At present, Guiyang is making great efforts to fully implement high-level opening-up by high standards, to promote high-quality development. The city is expected to be forged into an international city with significant influence on western China, a trade hub and a manufacturing base for mid- and high-end consumer goods. 

Japan, as a well-known manufacturing power, is a country from whom there is a lot to learn in many aspects, according to Sun. He expected the two sides to intensify exchange and cooperation, especially in the fields of trade and commerce, mid- and high-end manufacturing, big data, tourism, culture, and education. 

Sun also invited Watanabe to lead a delegation to attend the China International Big Data Industry Expo 2020 and the Eco Forum Global Annual Conference Guiyang 2020.

Watanabe praised Guiyang's achievements in economic growth and social development as well as ecological and environmental protection, and agreed with Sun’s suggestions on the cooperative areas. 

He said he would work to strengthen the exchange and cooperation between Guiyang and Japan, and to expand the fields and scope. He would also promote and encourage Japanese institutions and companies in commerce and trade sector to carry out on-the-spot visits, exchanges, and cooperation. 

Watanabe said he will push for new progress in cooperation in the aspects of tourism and culture, including tourists visits between Japan and Guiyang, and Guizhou University’s  annual Sino-Japan cultural exchanges. 

Gu Lihui, deputy secretary-general of the Guiyang Municipal Government, and Liu Song, vice-president of the Guiyang People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, also attended the meeting.

Sun Zhiming, deputy mayor and member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Guiyang Municipal Committee, meets Nobuyuki Watanabe, the new Consul General of Japan in Chongqing on June 20, 2019. Gu Lihui, deputy secretary-general of the Guiyang Municipal Government, and Liu Song, vice-president of the Guiyang People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, also attended the meeting. [Photo provided to english.guiyang.gov.cn]