Yufudake lychee liqueur, Yame Matcha Honey, Japanese Gyoza, Marutai Hakata Style Ramen ... Between October 31st and November 4th, Fukuoka showcased its featured food, drinks and daily necessities at the International Pavilion during the third phase of the 126th Canton Fair, attracting numerous visitors and buyers.

Okuda Satoshi (L), Chief of the International Relations Section of Fukuoka City Government and Eiji Yoshihara (R), Chief of Trade of the Promotion Section of Fukuoka City Government are in an interview with Newsgd.com. [Photo: Guo Riming/Canton Fair Organizing Committee]

Eiji Yoshihara, Chief of Trade of the Promotion Section of Fukuoka City Government told the reporter that Japanese enterprises are very interested in the Canton Fair because it is one of the largest trade fairs in the world and is attended by a huge number of buyers.

“Fukuoka enterprises hope to enter the Chinese market or open up overseas markets by participating in the fair,” Yoshihara said, “We will share the achievements we gained from the fair with other companies back in Fukuoka, hoping to introduce more enterprises to the fair next year.”

Fukuoka was Guangzhou’s first sister city. The two cities’ friendship traces back to May 2nd 1979. Guangzhou then lent Fukuoka two pandas from Guangzhou Zoo in 1980. Fukuoka gave Guangzhou Yuexiu Park a roller coaster as a gift in return. The roller coaster is believed to have been the first roller coaster in China. Over the years, the cooperation and exchange between the two cities has become increasingly close, especially in the fields of economy and trade.

People visit Fukuoka Pavilion at the 126th Canton Fair. [Photo: Guo Riming/Canton Fair Organizing Committee]

The Fukuoka Pavilion at the Canton Fair formed part of the Fukuoka and Guangzhou Friendship City 40 Years Anniversary Project which was held to promote economic activity between the two cities.

From October 31st to November 1st, Guangzhou held a grand meeting to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its sister city network development. At the opening ceremony of the meeting, the two cities signed an MoU on strengthening the existing relations.

According to Fukuoka Mayor Soichiro Takashima, both Guangzhou and Fukuoka have seen a great deal of government visits and people-to-people exchange over the past 40 years, both of which have contributed to communication and cooperation in such fields as innovation and urban development.

In late September, three Guangzhou-based companies Ehang, iFLYTEK and Netease attended a promotional conference in Fukuoka. Ehang demonstrated its latest drones over the plaza in front of the government building during the event, attracting a large crowd of curious locals.

People visit Fukuoka Pavilion at the 126th Canton Fair. [Photo: Nina Huang/Southcn.com]

Okuda Satoshi, Chief of the International Relations Section of Fukuoka City Government said, “Fukuoka and Guangzhou have similarities; both cities attach great importance to technological innovation.” He believes these events have deepened Fukuoka people’s understanding of the importance of innovation and will bring more business opportunities in related sectors.

Satoshi has developed a profound relationship with the city of Guangzhou and enjoyed many of his best years in the city. He studied at the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies for one year and the Sun Yat-Sen University for two years. As of April 2018, he began work for the International Relations Section to promote cooperation and exchange between the two sister cities. Now he is working in Guangzhou.

Both Satoshi and his family members love Guangzhou very much, especially the food, the scenery and the people. Satoshi said he enjoys walking on Binjiang Road together with local people. “They really enjoy their life here, singing, dancing, playing with their children. They are very happy. Guangzhou is a livable city, and so is Fukuoka,” Satoshi smiled.

Reported by Monica Liu, Wang Yifan

Edited by Simon Haywood