"It is an amazing experience to see such innovative and progressive economy in the past few days," said Craig Chupka, representative of Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Alberta shared his Guangdong's impression with Newsgd.com.
The delegation of Guangdong's sister provinces visited Guangdong from June 12 to 18. (Photo/Steven)
In order to have an overall understanding of Guangdong, delegation of Guangdong's sister provinces visited Guangzhou, Zhongshan, Dongguan and Shenzhen in a 7-day tour Since June 12.
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An innovative Guangdong impressed delegation deeply
Innovation is one of the important parts during this 7-day tour, since Guangdong is now carrying out the Innovation Driven Development Strategy.
"Dongguan is a very advanced and technological city," said Yopie Martin, representative of Gubernatorial Affairs and International cooperation Bureau of Jakarta.
Although Guangdong and Jakarta haven't signed the memorandum of understanding of sister relationship, Yopie indicated that the two provinces can launch cooperation in the area of innovation, after he visited Songshan Lake Robotic Technology Park.
The representatives visit Songshan Lake Robotic Technology Park in Dongguan. (Photo/Steven)
After the financial crisis in 2008, Dongguan, the former "world factory" is now focusing on developing innovative industry and automatic production. For example, DJI, world famous drone manufacturer has announced to set its headquarter and R&D center in Songshan Lake Robotic Technology Park.
Besides Dongguan, Shenzhen also impressed the delegation deeply, especially when they visited the headquarters of Huawei.
"I was very impressive by the visit to Huawei," said Pamela Jamieson, Global Partnership and Strategy Adviser of Auckland Council. "We just think Huawei is a mobile phone company, but they also engage in big data, smart city and so on, everything was so impressive."
The representatives listen the introduction of Huawei. (Photo/Steven)
Huawei, the third largest smart phone brand in the world, is another innovative company in Shenzhen. Currently, Huawei has 15 R&D centers all over the world with more than 80,000 R&D researchers.
"My wife is using Huawei, because of its high-quality and affordable price." said Mario Horacio Lazzaro, representative from Ministry of Economy Infrastructure and Energy of province of Mendoza.
Last year, Huawei's Polar Code proposal got the most votes on the just-concluded '3GPP RAN1#87' Conference in Nevada of America, which helps it to win over the UL&DL control information for eMBB. It also means that China has successfully taken part in setting the standard for 5G.
The representative experiences the system developed by Huawei. (Photo/Steven)
"Guangdong is strong in the area of innovation," said Shinsuke Tsukuda, representative from International Division, Hyogo Prefectural Government. "Guangdong and Hyogo can promote communication in innovation through developing a mutually beneficial cooperation progressively."
More cultural exchanges could be launched under the sister relationship
Besides innovative elements, the delegation also experienced a cultural Guangdong in the 7-day tour through visiting a typical Lingnan garden and tasting delicious litchi in Dongguan.
Representative experiences a cultural Guangdong in the 7-day tour. (Photo/Steven)
"I was impressed by Keyuan and eaglewood museum in Dongguan," said Buket Dundar, representative from the Government of Istanbul.
As one of the important countries along the Belt and Road Initiative, Ms. Dundar told Newsgd.com that Dongguan has already invited Istanbul to take part in the Guangdong 21st century Maritime Silk Road International Expo in September this year.
"Istanbul will be happy to promote the Turkish culture in Dongguan, since Guangdong and Istanbul are sister province." said Ms. Dundar. "If you know the culture, you will get closer and then you will have more communication in different sectors."
“We should learn from Guangdong how to preserve historical buildings,” said Mr. Martin. “The 125-year Sun Yat-sen former residence is in very good condition.”
Representatives visit the former residence of Sun Yat-sen. (Photo/Steven)
Lim Swee Kiang, representative from Melaka Chief Minister Department, thought that more cultural exchanges could be developed between Guangdong and Melaka in the future. "I hoped that Guangdong can promote traditional Lingnan culture in Melaka so that young generation of overseas Chinese in Melaka can find the roots through inheriting the culture."
Furthermore, Ms. Lim expected that more exchange programs in education can be developed so that Melaka's students can learn more new things in Guangdong.
Last week, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Guangdong and Alberta to boost the collaboration in film industry.
"The relationship of sister province provides a platform which allows two parties to find commonality and opportunity that they can work together." said Craig Chupka.
Guangdong now has 47 sister provinces (states), since it signed the first agreement of sister relationship with New South Wales in 1979.
"Having Guangdong as our sister province always makes us feel more intimate to China," said Ms. Dundar. " Signing an agreement of sister province is like a marriage, which means, you have already decided that this province is very close to you and you are dying to establish different kinds of collaboration with it."
Written by Steven
