Sister cities help boost Sino-Brazilian ties

The prefecture-level city of Heze in Shandong province, in a move to showcase the "treasure all over" charm of its peonies to Brazilians during an online event, has won a trade deal after negotiations.

During the "Let the World Fall in Love with Heze Peony" (Brazil) promotion event held on Dec 17, the Heze Municipal Information Office, the Publicity Department of CPC Yuncheng County Committee and the Columbus City Hall of Brazil intend to usher in a new chapter of cooperation between the two international sister cities.

It has been learned that 2024 marks the 18th year that Heze and Columbus have established international sister-city relations, and over the years, the two sides have carried out extensive exchanges in the fields of economy, trade, technology, culture and education, achieving fruitful results.

After negotiations through the online event, the FAN'F FLORES Import and Export Co Ltd of Brazil and the Heze Yaoshun Peony Biotechnology Co Ltd signed a memorandum of cooperation, opening a new chapter in economic and trade cooperation between the two cities.

The main venue of the event is located in Yaoshun Peony Industrial Park in Heze, and there was a video link for communication and dialogue with the Columbus City Hall. During the event, Columbus Mayor Lhasa Roto, and Chen Xinzhen, director of the Heze Municipal Information Office and leader of the CPC Heze Municipal Committee Lecturers Group, delivered speeches on behalf of their respective side.

The two sides expressed their beautiful visions for further understanding peony culture, deepening friendship and expanding cooperation space, noting that in the new stage, Heze and Columbus will continue to deepen cooperation, establish deeper exchanges, and become a "golden partner" for mutual achievement.

Arjone Jarretton, vice-mayor of Columbus, and Zhang Junge, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Yuncheng County Committee and chief of its Publicity Department, introduced the cultural tourism and industrial characteristics of their respective sides.

During the activity, Heze representatives to Brazil presented the mayor with several commemorative gifts such as peony paper cuttings.

Li Jinghao, chairman of Heze Yaoshun Peony Biotechnology Co Ltd introduced related products of the Heze peony industry and led guests to visit its exhibition hall online, fully demonstrating the unique charm of "treasure all over" Heze Peony, and arousing strong interest from the Brazilian side.

After the online meeting, a peony-themed cultural and creative product exhibition was held at the Columbus City Hall, to systematically showcase a series of crafts and peony cultural and creative products made by national intangible cultural heritage craftsmen centering on peony, football, samba and other elements, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil.

Visitors to the exhibition voiced their hopes that Heze and Columbus City can work hand in hand, to allow more Brazilian people to understand and love the Heze peonies.