PROVINCE WOWS OVERSEAS GUESTS WITH ITS POTENTIAL

Key event showcases past achievements, current attractions, and dynamic paths to future growth

Jilin province, the winter tourism hot spot that is also an important industrial center and food production center in northeastern China, intrigued and entranced important international guests during a recent promotional event - as part of an overall promotional campaign highlighting its modernization and advances in going global.

Media, ambassadors and their family members from 30 countries and regions learned about the province's landscape, environment, traditional culture and innovative manufacturing while attending the 2018 Jilin Global Presentation-Foreign Diplomats in Jilin held from Aug 17 to 21.

Jilin is at the geographical center of northeastern Asia, and is its window to the world. Officials say that to enhance that natural advantage, the government-led revitalization of northeastern China has introduced more policies that are beneficial to Jilin. The national wave of developing the real economy has also helped promote the development of local industries, according to Jilin Governor Jing Junhai.

He said the province is now focusing on upgrading existing traditional industries, accelerating the development of competitive industries, cultivating new economic growth engines and improving the quality of its services sector - making the region an ideal location for investment.

The event was aimed at expanding the influence of the province and attracting overseas professionals on its way to going global.

The five-day program included a comprehensive tour of the region. The first stop of the trip was Changchun, capital of Jilin province.

On arriving in Jilin city on Aug 19, the ambassadors and their families said they appreciated its beautiful natural scenery and harmonious urban environment.

On Aug 20, the guests reached Yanji, capital of the Yanbian Korean autonomous prefecture, which is a dwelling city of the Korean ethnic group in eastern Jilin province. The Korean ethnic group in China is renowned for its dance and songs.

John Aquilina, ambassador from Malta, said attendees hoped to learn successful experience from Jilin and find more development opportunities, looking forward to further cooperation.

Dolana Msimang, ambassador of South Africa, said they should find similarities and promote collaboration in various sectors.

Noh Young-min, ambassador of South Korea, said: "Jilin province is an important window for the further opening-up of China amid the Belt and Road Initiative, and a transportation hub in Northeast Asia to link Russia, Mongolia and Europe."

"The province also has great potential in cooperating with South Korea."

Noh suggested a joint rail and water transportation system be reused as soon as possible to promote cross-border trade.

Bayinchaolu, Party chief of Jilin, said the province was working on realizing its high-quality development, the construction of a digital Jilin - as well as promoting the transformation and upgrading of economic drivers to pave a new way for the revitalization process.

Bayinchaolu added that to better participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, Jilin will develop a series of international corridors. It will expand global trade and investment and provide an improved business environment for international investors amid the era of the shared and digital economy.

It will also examine more projects to enhance and protect the region's unique ecology, protecting the earth in ways that would appeal to and boost the tourism sector.

Attendees of the event came from such countries as Russia, Japan, Serbia, South Africa, Malta, Tajikistan, Spain, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, France and Italy.

Officials from the Foreign Affairs Office of Jilin said the event displayed the province's unique culture, the achievements it had made in integrating into the Belt and Road Initiative, and improved its international image.

(China Daily 08/29/2018 page10)