International Month Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony in Wuxi
By Uaueza Kanguatjivi
The Wuxi International Conference Centre hosted the opening of the Wuxi International Month and International Cherry Blossom Festival, the 11th Wuxi International Sisters Forum, and the Wuxi Dialogue on “Global Identity for a City Visibility” on March 20, 2024.
Speakers included the mayor of the people’s government of Wuxi Municipal, Zhao Jagen; members of the CPC Wuxi Municipal Committee’s standing committee and the director general of the publicity department; the ambassador of Guyana to China, Anyin Choo; and the consul general of France in Shanghai. Joan Valdou, a member of the supervisory board USA’s Second District Supervisor, Jesse Armendez California South Korea’s San Bernardino Deputy Mayor of Uslan Ahn Hyo Dae, the USA Mayor of Fontana Acquanetta Warren, the Mayor of Fier, Albania, Armando Subashi, the Mayor of Sagaminhara, Japan’s Deputy Mayor Ishii Kenshi, the Deputy Mayor of Ipoh, Malaysia, Ireland’s Lord of Cork, and the Deputy Mayor of South Korea, Eom Jinsup.
Through initiatives such as “Give Them a Home,” “Wuxi Artists in Brisbane Chinese Cultural and Arts,” “Winter Bazaar for International Friends in Wuxi,” “China-Japan Gastroenterology Experts Exchange,” “Namibian Fisheries Biological Research and Training,” “Children’s Delight World Children’s Day event in Wuxi,” and Performing “Wuxi campaign on the International Promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative,”
Delivering the opening speech, Mayor of Wuxi Municipal people’s government Zhao Jagen, expressed gratitude to longstanding friends and collaborators, emphasizing the city’s commitment to continuous progress and development.
“As an International vibrant city Wuxi is taking shape rapidly with a GDP capital that has exceeded U$ 29 000 (¥20933.
07) this is with strong support from Ambassadors.
“This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the International Cherry Blossoms week and Wuxi has consciously served the development pattern and has maintained close contact with partners.
“Trough maintaining 10 convenient measures, Wuxi seeks a win-win outcome in culture, sports among others,” Zhao said.
Acknowledging the city’s rapid advancement and burgeoning international stature, Zhao underscored the significance of partnerships, particularly with the Cherry Blossom Week International pattern cooperation, in fostering socio-economic growth.
Maintaining close ties with partners and facilitating convenient exchanges across various sectors, including culture and sports, remains a priority for Wuxi. Zhao extended a warm invitation to all attendees to immerse themselves in the city’s scenic beauty, wishing them good health and success.
The event saw notable addresses from esteemed guests such as Anyin Choo, Ambassador of Guyana to China, who lauded the special relationship between Wuxi and Guyana, highlighting contributions to Guyana’s healthcare system and the transformative impact of bilateral cooperation.
“Guyana has a special relationship with Wuxi which is based on practical cooperation. Guyana has received 19 batches from Wuxi City which has made starring contributions to the health care system in Guyana.”
“Without asking for identity information Guyana has helped the lives of many all they had to do was just remember to give the doctor the same name every time they go back,
“Changing lives and changing lives is the meaning of bilateral cooperation,” the Guyana Ambassador said.
Consul General of France in Shanghai Joan Valadou, , conveyed well wishes for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games for athletes around the world and emphasized the significance of international cooperation in achieving success.
A sister city agreement between San Bernardino County and Wuxi was entered into among other agreements on the Sister-City relationships and deepening cooperation’s and people to people exchange and cooperation projects.
Representing the Second District Supervisor of San Bernardino County, California, Jesse Armendariz, emphasized the importance of collaboration, exemplified by the Sister City Agreement between Wuxi and San Bernardino.
The ceremony also witnessed the unveiling of various cooperative projects and initiatives, including cultural exchanges, innovation partnerships, and educational programs, underscoring the commitment to strengthen people-to-people relations.
Cooperative projects included Global Resources, Huishan Ancient Town Cultural and Comprehensive Development Project, Cooperation between the city of Jianyin and Sangan do provincial Got Shanghai Office as well as the Wuxi Friendship association but to mention a few.
During the unveiling ceremony of Belgium Nova’s (Wuxi) Innovation centre Armendariz said “since the beginning of the year Wuxi has promoted cooperation’s strengthening cooperation’s in terms of people to people relations.
With the support of programs like “Give Them a Home,” “Wuxi Artists in Brisbane Chinese Cultural and Arts,” “Winter Bazaar for International Friends in Wuxi,” “China-Japan Gastroenterology Experts Exchange,” “Namibian Fisheries Biological Research and Training,” “Children’s Delight World Children’s Day event in Wuxi,” and “Wuxi campaign on the International Promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative,” Armendariz added.
In his closing remarks Armendariz said “International relations depend on people to people exchanges.”
As the launch ceremony concluded, the message resonated clear: Wuxi remains dedicated to fostering global cooperation and mutual understanding through its vibrant cultural and diplomatic initiatives.