Chongqing promotes friendship through global cuisine

Chongqing opened China's first international friendship city-themed food court in Chongqing Tiandi, in the city's Yuzhong district, on Wednesday, hoping to enhance the understanding of its friendship cities through cuisine.

The food court is part of the Chongqing International Friendship Cities Cooperation Conference 2024, which has attracted mayors and representatives from 48 cities in 31 countries, foreign diplomats from 14 countries and delegates from international organizations, multinational corporations and business associations, according to the Chongqing Foreign Affairs Office.

"Yuzhong is an inland gateway for openness, home to 14 consulates, 1,017 foreign enterprises and 116 Fortune 500 companies," said Huang Maojun, Party secretary of Yuzhong district.

"It boasts various global cuisines, with over 200 international restaurants. It's Chongqing's window to the world."

At the food court, people can taste Starbucks beverages, pastries and coffee beans from Seattle; wines from Hungary, beef sausage from Uruguay, vodka from Minsk, tea from Nepal and German sausage from Dusseldorf.