Friendly talks held with visiting Uruguay city officials

Zhuhai Mayor Li Zezhong signed a letter of intent on June 7 with Uruguay's Atlántida City Mayor Gustavo Gonzalez to expand friendly exchanges and cooperation in economy, trade, culture, tourism, and other fields.

The relationship was established in 2015 with the help of the Centro de Integración Cultural Uruguay-China.

Li discussed Zhuhai's geographic location abutting Hong Kong and Macao, which will become part of a "one-hour living circle" due to the soon-to-be-opened Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

Uruguay's coastal scenery [Photo courtesy Xinhua]

With implementation of its innovation-driven and opening-up development strategy, Zhuhai is creating a core city on the west bank of the Pearl River, taking the advantage of opportunities brought about by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The city is also seeking strengthened economic and trade ties with Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking countries.

Li said Zhuhai is expecting closer cooperation with Uruguay and other Latin American countries and hoped they could take part in the China-Latin America International Fair this October in Hengqin.

Gustavo Gonzalez said he was impressed by Zhuhai's picturesque environment and rapid economic growth. Both cities have much in common, for example: coastal location, convenient transport, social stability, and developed tourism and agriculture. He asked for a Zhuhai delegation to visit Atlántida City for further exchanges and cooperation.

Situated on the bank of the River Plate, Atlántida is 45 km east of Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay.

Fernando Lugris, Uruguayan ambassador to China, was present at the meeting.