Foreign diplomats hail Sichuan’s development

Sichuan won acclaims for its long history and achievements in opening up to the outside world from a number of foreign diplomats Wednesday when it was featured in a program of the Foreign Ministry to promote Chinese provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

Russian Ambassador to China Andrey Denis hailed Sichuan as an active participant in the cooperation between regions along the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River in China and the Volga River in Russia.

Russian Ambassador to China Andrey Denisov hailed Sichuan as an active participant in the cooperation between regions along the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River in China and the Volga River in Russia.

In August 2015, Sichuan hosted a forum on the above-mentioned cooperation during which economic, investment and cultural agreements were signed. In July the same year, the Second China-Russia Youth Forum was held here.

Last year also witnessed the opening of a direct flight between Chengdu and Moscow, which has greatly increased two-way tourist numbers.

Sichuan is also an excellent tourist destination for Russia and the world as a whole, said Denisov, adding that Sichuan cuisine has contributed to world civilizations.

German Ambassador to China Michael Clauss said Sichuan was a bridge for him to China.

For Michael Clauss, the German Ambassador to China, Sichuan, as he put it, was a bridge for him to China.

The moment Clauss heard his appointment as German Ambassador to China in 2013, he took his wife and friends to the best Chinese restaurant in Berlin where they ordered Sichuan hot pot for the first time as a way to increase his understanding of China.

The dining experience immediately ignited Clauss’ love for Sichuan cuisine.

At his recommendation, German Chancellor Merkel visited Sichuan and learned how to cook Kung Pao Chicken in 2014 when she was in China for her seventh visit.

Sichuan’s impressive economic data has won itself increasing interest from Germany.

In November this year, German Economics Minister Sigmar Gabriel will attend the Western China International Fair in Chengdu, of which Germany is the Guest of Honor.

German enterprises are keen on participating in the fair, said Clauss. Now some 150 German enterprises, including Siemens and Volkswagen, have operations in Chengdu and adjacent areas.

Sichuan has landed a most modern project of China and Germany’s coordination of their Made-In-China-2025 plan and Germany' s Industry 4.0 initiatives, a show of the province’s excellent infrastructure, high-caliber human resources and favorable investment environment, said Clauss.

Shri Vijay Gokhale, the Indian Ambassador to China, expected greater ties with Sichuan, inviting Sichuan officials to visit India for investment opportunities.

Sichuan is also a very important Chinese province for India, said Shri Vijay Gokhale, the Indian Ambassador to China.

Sichuan has formed partnership with India’s Karnataka State; it also has close cooperation with Bangalore; some Sichuan enterprises such as Dongfang Electric Corporation also have close economic and trade links with Indian companies.

Gokhale expected greater ties with Sichuan, inviting Sichuan officials to visit India for investment opportunities.

Equatorial Guinea's Ambassador to China spoke at the promotional event.

Equatorial Guinea's Ambassador to China and Australia’s Counsul General in Chengdu also spoke on the same occasion, expecting greater cooperation with Sichuan.

Australia’s Counsul General in Chengdu spoke at the promotional event.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi also spoke highly of Sichuan's role in China's opening up both in history and at present and expects the province to play a greater role in the future.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke at the promotional event.

An exhibition on Sichuan's advantages and achievements in various fields was held at the venue of the event.

600 guests, including diplomat envoys from more than 140 countries, representatives of international organizations, people from the business circle, Chinese and foreign experts and scholars, and journalists, attended Wednesday’s promotional event.

The Sichuan delegation was led by Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee Wang Dongming and Sichuan Governor Yin Li.