As an old saying goes: "it is better to see for oneself rather than to hear for many times." After visiting Guangzhou on Monday, 14 representatives from Guangdong's sister provinces started their second stop of their tour in Guangdong on June 14.
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Representatives visit the former residence of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. [Photo / newsgd.com]
What is your first impression of Zhongshan?
"I thought that Zhongshan only has the former residence of Dr. Sun Yat-sen before I visited here," said Timothy Tiu, representative of Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism of State of Hawaii. "I found that actually Zhongshan is a modern city, especially I was surprised by the Star Alliance which includes 400 shops of selling lighting products.”
It is not surprised that the first impression for everyone maybe the birthplace of Dr. Sun Yat-sen when talking about Zhongshan. However, Zhongshan now owns the largest lighting industry in China; especially, Guzhen, a town of Zhongshan, is the main manufacturing and sales base of lighting products in the world.
"The lighting products of Guzhen are sold to 103 countries and regions worldwide so far," said Cui Chaowen, Deputy Town Chief of Guzhen. "The GDP of Guzhen last year was over 20 million yuan, while the light industry account for 80% of the total."
Representatives appreciate lighting product in Guzhen, Zhongshan. [Photo / newsgd.com]
Due to the developed lighting industry, both Chinese designers and foreign designers are gathering in Guzhen so that people can buy lighting products in different style.
"Lighting industry in Zhongshan impresses me the most," said Pedro Barreto Ranciaro, International Cooperation Advisor of Sao Paulo, Brazil. "I could see a infinite possibility for companies in Guangdong and Sao Paulo coopering on lighting industry."
Since design is the core of lighting industry, Guzhen also attaches importance to IPR protection.
"Guzhen has established the IPR centre for lighting product to handle the IPR application," Cui said. "The duration for applying for IPR was reduced from at least 6 months to 1 week."
Sister relationship could be the bridge for people to know each other
It is no doubt that there is an intimate bond between Zhongshan and State of Hawaii, not only because of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, but also Hawaii State is one of the sister provinces of Guangdong.
"Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Middle School and Punahou School has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a student exchange program," said Timothy Tiu. "Last year, students from Punahou School gave performance in Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Middle School and we hope that more exchange programs could be launched by other different schools in Guangdong and Hawaii."
Timothy Tiu added that the relationship of sister province is a bridge for people in Guangdng and sister countries to know more about each other.
Furthermore, Santos F.C., football club in Sao Paulo, have a cooperation with a middle school in Zhongshan. 3 coaches have been sent to Zhongshan by Santos F.C to cultivate "Chinese Neymar.”"
"Cooperation on football is always welcomed," said Pedro Barreto Ranciaro, "we are very open to afford suggestion and bring experts to Zhongshan, or organizing tournament here."
"Due to the relationship of sister province, we can contact Guangdong directly once we get a new idea or concept," said Timothy Tiu, "the relationship of sister province ensures that the further cooperation can be put into practice."
Written by Steven
