Wuhan promotes its tourism through France

Driving tour expected to boost cultural exchanges, bilateral ties, Tuo Yannan reports in Paris.

A driving tour of France to promote tourism in Wuhan that began on Friday in Paris and will end in Nice would strongly boost cultural exchanges and bilateral ties between the two cities, organizers said.

Zhang Xia, head of the Wuhan Municipal Tourism Bureau in central China's Hubei province said at the ceremony that Paris is a famous city for tourism and art and has a long relationship with Wuhan.

"This year is the third year for Wuhan to hold the event, and our motorcade representing 11 million Wuhan citizens will invite French guests to visit the beautiful Chinese city," Zhang said.

Wuhan is the most "French-style city" in China, the French newspaper Le Monde reported.

Since the opening of three direct flights per week between Wuhan and Paris in 2012, the more frequent contact has created new opportunities for exchanges and cooperation between Wuhan and France in many fields.

France has become one of the top tourist destinations for Wuhan citizens in the last five years, Zhang said.

"I believe this event will promote tourism and sports between the two countries. It will enhance friendship between people and help improve Wuhan's image in the eyes of the world."

Francois Navarro, general director of the Tourism Regional Committee of Ile-de-France region, said Wuhan is famous in France. One reason, he said, is because former tennis star Li Na comes from there, but also because many French citizens live in the city.

"We have to create a strong relationship between the two cities, to be more efficiency on both sides to promote bilateral visits. Now, French visas can be approved in China within 48 hours," Navarro said, "Wuhan is one of our biggest tourist resources from China."

"We are looking forward to having more cooperation and partnerships with Wuhan in many fields such as sport and tourism events and activities," I would love to lead more French visiting groups to Wuhan to boost the ties between the two cities," he added.

Michele Guyon, a specialist in tourism at the French consulate in Wuhan said it is more than 10,000 kilometers between China and France, but the distance seems invisible because of the close relationship.

"Two years ago we started the driving tour as a symbol of our friendship, I hope every year we can drive different routes to let more French people learn about Wuhan, and make more partnerships in trade and other areas."

Part of the opening ceremony was the screening of a movie about the colorful lifestyle available in Wuhan and its scenery.

The movie showed interesting activities in Wuhan, from traditional culture to modern sports events and historical sites.

One of the highlights was the famous Yellow Crane Tower, which was built during China's Three Kingdoms period (AD 220-280).

The tower's architecture and structure combine ancient and modern elements.

It is considered a symbol of the city and is visited by 2 million tourists each year from all over the world. Many Chinese and French guests attended the event, including WTA President Micky Lawler, board member of the International Tennis Federation Mary Pierce, former Secretary General of the National Tourism Board Jean Louis Balandraud, Director General of the Tower of the Yellow Crane Wu Kejian and General Manager of the Wuhan Open Yi Guoqing.

In addition to the driving activity, Wuhan is also preparing to welcome overseas guests to its Wuhan Open tennis tournament later this year. After the China Open in Beijing and Shanghai Masters, the Wuhan Open, to be held from Sept 23 through Oct 1, is China's third-largest tennis tournament.

In 2014, 99 top players from 30 countries participated in the Wuhan Open, including Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova and Simona Halep.

Geared towards international markets with its high-end services, the Wuhan Open annually becomes a point of attention of all China.

Li, ambassador of the event, whose home town is Wuhan said, "I invite all of you to visit my hometown and watch the exciting games in September.

"Paris is my lucky place. I am so happy that I can be here to promote my hometown. Every time international journalists ask which part of China I come from, I tell them with pride that I come from Wuhan, which is located in central China and only has a population of 11 million but is very beautiful.

"I hope through my participation in this event, more people will like my home town. I would recommend French friends go to see the city with their own eyes, to experience the city and local life."

Contact the writer at tuoyannan@chinadaily.com.cn

Central China hub

Located in the central region of China, Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei Province, is a megalopolis that in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.

An important base of industry, science, education and a communications hub, it has a population of 12 million in an area that covers 8,494 kilometers.

The city is a combination of traditional and modern culture, rich history and international development.

In recent years, the city has accelerated its pace of internationalization through promoting its local tourism industry globally, launching world-class activities and propelling cross-country trade.

Since the establishment of the Sino-French diplomatic relationship 50 years ago, Wuhan has become one of the cities in China most favored by French people.

It is a popular investment destination for French businessmen and has the largest number of French residents. According to the local tourism bureau, more than 100 French companies have set up offices and subsidiaries in Wuhan, including the French automobile giants Renault, Peugeot and Citroen.

(China Daily European Weekly 06/03/2016 page29)