A delegation from the city of Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province (PRC), visited the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Mr. Xie Guicun, the Vice Mayor of Zhaoqing, the city he represents, is located in the west of the Guangdong Province and plays a crucial role in the region's economy. It covers an area of about 15 thousand square kilometers with a population of 4.5 million people. The region has advanced machinery, food, textile industries and produces building materials, ceramics, electronics, medicines, plastic products, furniture, paper materials, paints and bamboo products.
"We believe that the official visit of the Chinese President, Mr. Xi Jinping to Russia this spring, has given a new impetus to the re - establishment of constructive relations between our countries. And we are confident that we will be able to further nurture close cooperation between the entrepreneurs of our cities," Mr. Guikun noted. He said that the delegation includes six people, representing various spheres of activity: international cooperation, cultural heritage, tourism, sports, work with university students, local government. The Vice-Mayor said that all the members of the delegation are visiting Moscow for the first time and are pleasantly surprised by what they have seen.
The Chinese guests were particularly impressed by the available effective and formidable transportation, as well as the abundance of parks and green spaces of the city’ environment. “We have a lot to learn from Moscow," emphasized the Head of the delegation. Among the main areas of expected cooperation, the Chinese guests named tourism, as more and more Chinese populace enjoys traveling abroad. "Many people have never seen snow," said Mr. Guikun. - They can go to Harbin, where winters are very cold, but now they can see snow falling in the Red Square." For their part, Russian tourists can enjoy a warm winters in China.
During the meeting, the Russian colleagues were shown a promotional video, featuring the natural and historical sites around Zhaoqing: its diverse natural landscapes, many historical monuments and artefacts; it harmoniously combines antiquity and modernity.
In turn, Mr. Vladimir Platonov, the President of the MCCI, noted that Russia and China have long-standing cordial and friendly ties: "I do address the Chinese representatives, who visit the MCCI, as “friends.” The Head of the Chamber told the guests about the history of the Chamber and its main areas of work.
He recalled that the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry was established in 1991, and in 1994, an agreement with the All-China Federation of Industry and Trade was signed. Mr. Platonov also emphasized that the Moscow CCI is a member of the world system of Chambers of Commerce and is looking forward to establish relations with entrepreneurs of the city of Zhaoqing, with the aid and help of the MCCI. Ms. Zo.u Xiaoling, the Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Zhaoqing, noted that the establishment of Iinternational Relations is exactly within the scope of her activities, and she hopes that joint efforts will enable to establish profitable partnerships.
At the end of the meeting the parties exchanged commemorative souvenirs and agreed to continue establishing mutually beneficial contacts.