CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- On July 12, a delegation of 30 young people from Hiroshima and Mito in Japan, friendly cities of Chongqing, visited Chongqing Zoo, Seres Phoenix Smart Factory and Nankai Middle School to learn about the economic and social development of Chongqing and engage in friendly face-to-face exchanges with young people in Chongqing.

At Chongqing Zoo, the adorable appearance of giant pandas caught the attention of the delegation. "Chongqing Zoo is one of the zoos with the largest number of giant pandas, and they are very cute. Japanese citizens love them very much," said Yoshiaki Ikematsu after visiting the zoo, a student of grade 2 in the Department of Social System Design at Eikei University of Hiroshima.

In fact, this was the end of the delegation's visit in Chongqing. Since the event started on July 8th, the delegation have visited the Chongqing Planning Exhibition Gallery and Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum to get a complete picture of the economic and social development and future development plans of Chongqing; they have visited the Inland International Logistics Hub Exhibition Center to gain a deeper understanding of the construction of the new western land-sea corridor; they has visited companies such as Seres Phoenix Smart Factory to learn the development and achievements of technology innovation industries such as new energy vehicles; they have visited the Site of Bombing Tragedy of Chongqing, to let Japanese teenagers to learn the true history of the Anti-Japanese War period; they have visited  schools such as Sichuan International Studies University and Nankai Middle School to carry out international exchanges and dialogues among young people, and strengthen mutual understanding and trust; they have visited Yongli Village, Bayang Town, Yunyang County to conduct on-site inspections of the construction of beautiful countrysides, experience fried loquat tea, intangible cultural heritage skill blue dyeing, and feel the authentic traditional Chinese folk culture; they also have visited Ciqikou Old Street and Chongqing Zoo to enjoy the unique scenery of the city of mountains and rivers, and experience the vibrant vitality and prosperity of the youngest municipality directly under the central government in China.

It is reported that since Chongqing and Hiroshima became sister cities in 1986, leaders and civilians from both cities have frequently visited each other, and the two cities have conducted extensive and effective exchanges and cooperation in areas such as economy, science and technology, education, culture, sports and health. In 2000, Chongqing and Mito signed a friendly exchange city cooperation agreement, and subsequently conducted regular mutual visits, as well as practical cooperation and exchanges in sports, youth exchanges, culture, education and other fields. Especially in May of this year, Hiroshima Deputy Mayor Mae Kenichi and Mito Deputy Mayor Odagi Kenji led a delegation to Chongqing to attend the Chongqing International Friendly City Cooperation Conference 2024. They both expressed that Chongqing's urban planning was unique and its urban development speed is amazing, and reached a consensus with Chongqing on strengthening exchanges between young people from both sides.

It is reported that this event is themed on “Inheritance and innovation and Moving Forward Together", and has been included in the overall project framework of the 2024 China-Japan Youth Exchange Memorandum of the The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. The members of the delegation include college students from universities such as Eikei University of Hiroshima, Seijou University, Sophia University, Hiroshima Bunkyo University, Hiroshima City University, as well as outstanding young representatives working in the governments of the two cities and well-known Japanese companies. (Translated by Hu Chuanmin, Fathom Language Limited)