中国·福州——热爱城市从热爱美食开始

Leveraging the Maritime Silk Road for development and tourism as a bridge for deeper exchanges, Fuzhou hosted the 2024 Belt and Road Global Chambers of Commerce and Associations Conference (GCCAC), the 2024 Maritime Silk Road International Cultural Tourism Festival and the Fuzhou International Friendship Cities Cultural Festival in succession. Government officials from Belt and Road countries and mayors of sister cities gathered in Fuzhou, where the city’s dynamic international presence and unique Mindu culture were on full display. As cooperation and exchanges flourished, so did the bonds of friendship and mutual understanding.

Recently, as one of the main events of the International Friendship Cities Cultural Festival, mayors and representatives from both new and long-established sister cities took part in the “International Sister City Mayors’ Fuzhou Tour.” A total of 22 guests from 9 international sister cities, prospective sister cities, and cities with friendly ties explored Fuzhou’s intangible cultural heritage, toured its districts, and participated in tea talks. They immersed themselves in the deep historical and cultural heritage of Fuzhou, shared a vision of the city’s innovation and development, and eagerly anticipated their next visit to Fuzhou.

The guests took part in an experience of the jasmine tea scenting technique. (Photo by Reporter Lin Yuhe)

An Ever-Expanding Circle of International Sister Cities

“As the vast ocean lies between us, let’s hold hands tightly, and our friendship will never fade...” On the morning of the 6th, during the awards ceremony for the 3rd Silk Road International Youth Photography and Short Video Competition, winners from different countries joined together to sing the song Auld Lang Syne. Their heartfelt performance beautifully expressed the enduring bond of friendship that spans across oceans and borders.

Art knows no borders, and through it, hearts are connected across nations. Young people from around the world have used their cameras to foster understanding and form lasting friendships. A great example is Brazilian youth Santana’s short video Exploring the Wonderful World of Brazilian Culture, which beautifully captures Brazil’s rich cultural vibrancy. His video earned second place in Group B. He shared, “Coming to China has always been a dream of mine, and this time, it’s finally come true. In the historic and beautiful city of Fuzhou, I’ve made many new friends, and I’m truly happy.”

The influence of the competition continues to grow. This Silk Road International Youth Photography and Short Video Competition has attracted significant international attention, receiving 2,755 entries from 68 countries across all five continents.

Fuzhou’s network of international sister cities is continuously expanding. Last month, the city was honored with the “International Friendship City Award for Outstanding Contribution,” becoming one of the 10 cities nationwide to receive this prestigious recognition. At the opening ceremony of the Maritime Silk Road International Tourism Festival, Fuzhou officially established a sister-city relationship with Malé, the capital of the Maldives, further expanding its global connections. In addition, Fuzhou has signed a letter of intent to form a sister-city relationship with Palmerston North, New Zealand, and a friendship exchange agreement with Dhankuta, Nepal. These two cities are set to join Fuzhou’s ever-expanding circle of international sister cities.

As of now, Fuzhou has officially established sister-city relationships with 24 cities from 17 countries across five continents, further enhancing its global recognition and influence.

True friends always feel close to each other, no matter the distance between them.

Located 5,779 kilometers from Fuzhou, the Maldives is a dream destination for many in China. By joining Fuzhou’s sister city network, the two regions are set to strengthen their ties. “The Maritime Silk Road has always been a symbol of unity, linking countries across the seas and building bridges of friendship and understanding between diverse civilizations,” said Adam Azim, Mayor of Malé, the capital of the Maldives, which has just become the newest member of Fuzhou’s growing circle of sister cities. “The Maldives, as a vibrant intersection of oceanic cultures, may be small but is full of energy. Let’s stay connected, learn from one another, and work together to create a brighter future.”

In addition to Malé, the “new sister city” of Fuzhou, the “International Sister City Mayors’ Fuzhou Tour” also welcomed representatives from established sister cities such as Tacoma, USA, Siem Reap, Cambodia, Campinas, Brazil, and Koszalin, Poland. Clare Petrich, Chair of the Sister Cities Council of Tacoma, is visiting Fuzhou for the second time. Reflecting on her visit, she shared, “I have a deep affection for Fuzhou. My last visit was 20 years ago when I came with a dragon boat team. Over the past year, more than 100 students from Tacoma have been invited to visit Fuzhou. We’ve reached a consensus in areas like education, port cooperation, and international trade. Next year, we will hold a symphony concert in Fuzhou, and we also hope to launch teacher exchange programs to foster deeper collaboration between Tacoma and Fuzhou’s secondary schools.”

Established sister cities are keen to strengthen their collaboration. Koszalin, Poland, has been a sister city of Fuzhou since 2007. This time, Mayor Tomasz Sobieraj of Koszalin returned to Fuzhou. Looking back on his first visit to the city 12 years ago, he remarked, “Back then, I was the Deputy Mayor of Koszalin. Now, 12 years later, Fuzhou has left me with a whole new impression. The city has grown significantly, with many more high-rise buildings, and it feels much more modern.” He is excited about future cultural and educational exchanges between the two cities and is eager to see more Fuzhou businesses invest and thrive in Koszalin.

An Unforgettable Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience

On the afternoon of the 6th, following the opening ceremony of the Maritime Silk Road International Tourism Festival, mayors and officials from international sister cities visited the Liangcuo Historical and Cultural District. There, they had the chance to experience the traditional process of jasmine tea scenting. As they gazed out at the ancient village and the surrounding picturesque countryside, they were enveloped by the gentle fragrance of jasmine tea, adding to the charm of the experience.

Fuzhou’s jasmine tea scenting technique, with a history spanning nearly a thousand years, was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2014 and was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022. “Jasmine tea consists of tea as its base and flowers as its essence, with layers of tea and jasmine flowers interwoven. While its appearance may not be particularly striking, the fragrance, light and refreshing, instantly enchants the senses!” With nearly 40 years of experience in jasmine tea scenting, Master Zhang Zijian carefully shook the flower tea in his bamboo sieve, while explaining to the guests from international sister cities the detailed steps of the process, which include “screening, sieving, cutting, tossing, heating, scenting, and final scenting.” As soft melodies filled the air, tea masters in traditional Chinese qipaos skillfully demonstrated their art of tea brewing, inviting guests to enjoy a taste of jasmine tea. The guests took delicate sips of the tea, repeatedly complimenting its exceptional flavor.

“This is my first visit to Fuzhou, and I hadn’t heard of jasmine tea before. In New Zealand, we have a diverse blend of ethnicities, and everyone has their unique food habits. My husband is a big fan of black tea, so I’ll definitely recommend jasmine tea to him when I get home. I’m sure he’ll love it as much as I do,” said Debbie Marshall-Lobb, Deputy Mayor of Palmerston North, New Zealand, during the tea-tasting session.

Although both are jasmine teas, Aishas Nezli Rashid, a councilor from Malé, Maldives, noticed a distinct difference in flavor. She explained, “We also have jasmine tea in the Maldives, but it’s quite different from Fuzhou’s. You infuse your tea with jasmine flowers and tea leaves, while in the Maldives, we pick the jasmine flowers every day before sunset, boil them, and use the jasmine water to brew our tea. Compared to yours, our jasmine tea is lighter, while yours has a stronger aroma, richer fragrance, and fuller flavor.”

On the morning of the 7th, the Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience Tour of the International Friendship Cities Cultural Festival was held at Minjiang University. At the Fuzhou She Ethnic Clothing Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance Demonstration Base, located within the School of Fashion and Art Engineering, guests had the opportunity to try their hand at the traditional She ethnic ramie cloth tie-dyeing technique, under the guidance of expert instructors.

The She ethnic group’s traditional costume, the “Phoenix Attire,” is colorful and striking, with a distinct charm. It was included as part of the second batch of national intangible cultural heritage projects in 2008. When Bruna Santos, Director of the International Cooperation and Foreign Trade Bureau of Campinas, Brazil, entered the Inheritance Demonstration Base and saw the stunning “Phoenix Attire,” she couldn’t help but exclaim, “Amazing!”

The truly fascinating moment for the sister city guests came during the tie-dyeing workshop that followed.

Associate Professor Chen Xu from the School of Fashion and Art Engineering at Minjiang University served as the instructor for the intangible cultural heritage workshop, guiding the guests through the process of ramie fabric tie-dyeing step by step. Each guest was given a piece of white ramie fabric to begin their experience. They started by folding the fabric into a specific shape, then applied handmade indigo dye to different parts of the folded cloth. Finally, they rinsed the fabric in water to set the dye. When they unfolded the cloth, they were amazed to discover that the once plain white ramie fabric had been transformed into a beautiful array of patterns and colors!

“There’s a Chinatown in Brazil where I’ve seen many Chinese ethnic costumes, but this is the first time I’ve tried tie-dyeing myself. It’s incredible how mixing different dyes creates so many beautiful patterns!” Bruna Santos said with a smile.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to have so many international friends with us. It not only highlights Minjiang University’s success in training applied talents but also offers our international guests a chance to appreciate the essence of Chinese traditional culture,” said Associate Professor Chen Xu. “Through this intangible cultural heritage experience, we hope to introduce more international friends to the beauty of Chinese clothing and traditional craftsmanship of intangible cultural heritage.”

On the afternoon of the 7th, the guests from international sister cities visited the Sanfang Qixiang Historical and Cultural District. They explored iconic sites like the Water-side Performing Stage and Little Yellow Tower, taking in the charming scenery—bridges over gentle streams, vibrant greenery, and rock gardens with caves and winding paths. As they wandered through the ever-changing landscapes, the guests were captivated by the elegance of Chinese garden architecture. Debbie Marshall-Lobb, Deputy Mayor of Palmerston North, New Zealand, said, “These unique buildings really highlight Fuzhou’s dedication to preserving its historical and cultural heritage. Although we’re on opposite sides of the world, balancing history and modernity is an issue we also need to address.”

A Tea Gathering on the Future Development of the City

“From river management to park development and the preservation of ancient buildings, Fuzhou has a wealth of experience to share,” “If you’re interested in how digital technology is applied in everyday life, Fuzhou is definitely worth a visit,” “Incredible! It’s my first time seeing so many traditional Chinese buildings...” On the afternoon of the 7th, two sessions of the International Sister City Mayors’ Tea Talks, themed “New Quality Productive Forces Empowering Urban Cultural Industry Development” and “Promoting Low-Carbon Development through Green Practices“ respectively, were held in Sanfang Qixiang, a place where ancient charm meets modern vibrancy.

How can digital technology empower the cultural industry? How can the cultural industry reshape the urban landscape? At Fuzhou’s City Reception Center, guests from home and abroad offered vivid, image-rich presentations that answered these questions one by one, making our journey not only engaging but deeply meaningful.

Croatia, renowned as a filming location for hit shows like Game of Thrones has become a magnet for visitors from all over the world. “We are now in an era where the focus is no longer just on brand marketing or boosting tourist numbers, but on developing the tourism industry with history at its core,” said Nikola Aleksić, Senior Advisor for International Relations in Split, Croatia, during his visit to Sanfang Qixiang. He noted that Split is Croatia’s second-largest city. It is actively developing surrounding tourism and restoring historic architecture, while also embracing new technologies to make the city more accessible and livable.

“In urban development, we put people at the center of everything we do,” said Tomasz Sobieraj, Mayor of Koszalin, Poland. The needs of citizens guide the direction of urban growth. In terms of cultural branding, Kosalin focuses on robustly supporting cultural leaders, creators, and artists by creating favorable conditions for their creative expression. The city also aids in spreading their work through initiatives such as cultural awards and film festivals. “We hope that residents can freely drive the development of the cultural industry, bringing new vitality to the entire city. This is how I understand the new quality productive forces in the cultural industry.”

Leng Song, Secretary-General of the World Media Research Center at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the chief scriptwriter for both the Asian Games Hangzhou and Asian Winter Games Harbin opening ceremonies, introduced the idea of “cross-sector innovation.” He explained, “The primary essence of new quality productive forces in culture comes from cross-sector innovation. The fusion of culture and tourism has been a powerful force for growth. For example, visiting Fuzhou today offers a “dual experience”—the refined elegance of ceremonial moments paired with the bustling, vibrant atmosphere of daily life.” Leng Song noted that the similarities and differences between nations not only create opportunities for cultural and tourism growth but also pave the way for industry collaboration and mutual development.

From Gongxiang to Wenrufang, the venue for the Mayors’ Tea Talks may have changed, but the spirit of sincere exchange and lively discussion remained unchanged. Focused on themes like green, low-carbon development, and sustainability, more Asian countries shared their unique visions and strategies.

“Renewable energy is central to our low-carbon vision. With Siem Reap’s abundant sunshine, we’re ramping up solar infrastructure across the city to make the most of this natural resource. At the same time, we’re encouraging the use of electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions,” said Yun Sinang, Deputy Director of the Administration of Siem Reap Municipality in Cambodia. “Cooperation is the key—that’s why we’ve come to Fuzhou to seek partnerships that ensure our green initiatives are both practical and effective.”

Dhankuta, located at the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal, boasts beautiful natural scenery, fertile farmland, and a rich cultural heritage. Like many cities today, it is grappling with the twin challenges of urbanization and climate change. Mayor Chintan Tamang wholeheartedly agreed, stating, “Putting green principles into action takes more than just policies—it requires strong partnerships. This event offers a valuable platform for cities around the world to share and exchange ideas. I’m eager to draw on Fuzhou’s experience as we work toward building a more inclusive and sustainable city.”

“This is already my third visit to Fuzhou,” said Saveuy Silavanh, Deputy Mayor of Luang Prabang, Laos, excitedly. He expressed sincere gratitude for Fuzhou’s strong support in Luang Prabang’s development, particularly in areas such as human resource development, agricultural training, tourism growth, and international cooperation. “Through our joint efforts, we will lay an even stronger foundation for promoting green development and achieving mutual benefits.”

Nothing, not even mountains and oceans, can separate people with shared goals and vision. Fuzhou has been actively nurturing and expanding its sister-city relationships through various channels. Between January 2018 and November this year, the city sent out 36 delegations totaling 250 people for exchanges with its sister cities, while welcoming 49 delegations and 331 visitors from those cities to Fuzhou. The International Friendship Cities Cultural Festival once again strengthened the bonds between sister cities. On the 8th, participants of the “International Sister City Mayors’ Fuzhou Tour” said their goodbyes with a shared commitment to future reunions—dedicated to expanding cooperation and deepening sister-city partnerships. (Fuzhou Daily Reporter: Lin Yuhe, Qian Jiayi)