CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- "Today is a big day for the people of Chongqing," said Dzmitry Yemelyanau, Consul-General of Belarus in Chongqing, pointing to his specially prepared red tie, "Chinese red, a festive color!"

On the morning of January 21, the second session of the sixth Chongqing Municipal People's Congress opened. Led by the staff of the Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People’s Government, diplomatic and consular officials from 17 countries stationed in Chongqing, Chengdu and other places entered the People’s Great Hall of Chongqing to attend the opening ceremony.

When hearing the report mention that "Chongqing's GDP has reached a new level of 3 trillion yuan in 2023, with per capita disposable income increasing by 5.4%", several consular officials nodded frequently.

"Congratulations to the people of Chongqing. It is admirable that Chongqing can achieve such impressive results in 2023 when the global economic environment continued to be in the doldrums." After the meeting, Dzmitry Yemelyanau said that he had more confidence in Chongqing's future development after hearing the report.

In order not to miss any key points in the report, several consular officials kept their hands on the paper report, circling and sketching. In their view, these pieces of information contain infinite new opportunities for future cooperation.

Consul-General of Singapore in Chengdu Joel Tan Zhien was particularly happy to be named. “It was a great surprise and honor that the report mentioned the ‘China-Singapore Connectivity Project' several times’. This is the third intergovernmental cooperation project between China and Singapore and has gradually become a new highlight of cooperation between the two countries."

As a top priority throughout his work, Joel Tan Zhien also has "troubles with happiness": "2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the China-Singapore project, and we expect that this will be a very busy year!" Joel Tan Zhien looks forward to the China-Singapore project, which will bring more opportunities for exchange, cooperation and development.

This is also the common aspiration of the consular officials present.

"In 2024, we will continue to strengthen cooperation with Chongqing in areas such as humanities, economy, culture, technology and education. We hope to take advantage of Chongqing's inland open highlands and China Railway Express (Yuxinou), to expand trade and seek new investment and cooperation opportunities." Dzmitry Yemelyanau has many plans in his mind.

Consul-General of Hungary in Chongqing Czegel Balint, is also looking forward to the future. He couldn't help but tell the reporter a package of cooperation and exchange plans to be carried out with Chongqing, not only because of Chongqing's vigorous development, but also because 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary. In this special year, Czegel Balint also has special expectations.

"We will invite a Hungarian Television delegation to Chongqing to experience the vitality of the Chengdu-Chongqing double-city economic circle. The series of videos produced by the television station will be broadcasted on major television stations and websites in Hungary, to make more Hungarians get to know, understand and enter Sichuan and Chongqing..."

At the beginning of the new year, the “the word of the year” for consuls and officials from various countries stationed in Chongqing and Chengdu have already been created – "Busy"! This word will bring opportunities, cooperation, future, high-quality development of Chongqing and high-level openness to the world. (Translated by Hu Chuanmin, Fathom Language Limited)