Wuxi values Sino-foreign friendship

The 2020 Wuxi International Friendship Culture Week wrapped up with an award ceremony and various international performances in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province, on Sept 27.

Expats from 17 countries who are studying, working and living in the city were invited to the event.

A total of 34 expats received the honorary title of envoys of friendship of Wuxi in 2020, including Wilhelm Hecker, a German working as the director of a local hospital, Bhang Seong-bokn, who runs a company on semiconductor equipment from South Korea, and Johan Olipitz Knapp, a British lad working as a counselor at an education and technology company in Wuxi.

Their efforts to share opportunities, overcome challenges and promote Sino-foreign exchange and cooperation in Wuxi are greatly appreciated, according to officials.

Statistics show that there are around 6,500 expats who permanently reside in Wuxi. About 150 Wuxi's primary and middle schools had carried out exchange and cooperation with overseas schools by the end of last year.

"Friendship, which derives from close contact between peoples, is the key to sound state-to-state relations," said Wuxi Mayor Du Xiaogang during the event.

Du said that for years, the friendship associations at various levels in Wuxi have been actively working to connect different people, businesses and institutions, promote international exchange and cooperation, and improve mutual understanding and respect.

Events in the city, such as the Wuxi International Cherry Blossom Week and Wuxi International Friendship Culture Week, are gaining in popularity.

"All these efforts have helped the city further open up," Du added.

Li Xikui, vice chairman of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, spoke highly of Wuxi's efforts to help sister cities since the outbreak of COVID-19 at the beginning of the year, especially when Wuxi gave back medical supplies it received to cities in Japan and South Korea.