On November 4, a delegation of 16 citizens from Braunschweig travelled the greatest distance to their sister city, Zhuhai, Guangdong, for a visit. This visit marked the first time ever for Zhuhai to welcome guests from its international sister cities on a citizen level.
The delegation toured major landmarks across the city, including the Zhuhai Opera House, the Fisher Maiden Statue, and Love Post Office.
Behrens Dorothea, a German citizen from the group who is keen on collecting postcards worldwide, excitedly handpicked two postcards at the second-storey store of the Love Post Office, with breathtaking views on each one of them.
"Look at this. I bought these two postcards, the very nice view on these cards. Today the sky is not so clear to see," she shared with great excitement, "and on the postcards, there's blue sky and blue water. Wonderful."
Oehl Brigitte Elfriede, another citizen from Braunschweig, Germany, who has just retired, was glad she finally made her first trip to Zhuhai, a place she has been longing to go for so long. "It's my first time here and I am very happy. It's a very famous town. It's so famous for the beach, big houses, and the hotels (with) the panorama," she explained. "And in the evening, when the lights are all on, it's so nice. I love it."
At the Zhuhai Planning Exhibition Hall, the guests caught a glimpse of the historical changes and urban vitality of the city. Through firsthand experience, these guests from Braunschweig got to feel the touch of Zhuhai, fostering closer people-to-people ties that push for greater friendship between the two cities.
Apel Sabine, who led the group all the way in China, from Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin to Zhuhai, said that the trip was almost a revelation for every member, a chance for them to capture a real China.
"I'm really impressed by the development of the city, growing from a city in 1979 to a really modern city. And the last time I've been to Zhuhai, it was 2018," she added. "I just saw the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. And now it is open to the public. And I'm really looking forward to going by bus over the bridge to enjoy the feeling of such an impressive building."
Ms. Sabine talks lovingly about how people-to-people relationships are the foundation for the two sister cities and China and Germany as a whole. "It is really important that people meet each other. I think this is a really big step, and we are really hoping that a group from the city of Zhuhai will come to visit Braunschweig one day," she explained.
She thinks Zhuhai and Braunschweig have a lot of things in common, especially cultural relics. She hopes that one day theaters, for example, cultural groups can meet. "They can experience something together to work on projects together," she said.
Li Chong, Vice Mayor of Zhuhai, met with the delegation and sent well wishes for the profound friendship between Zhuhai and Braunschweig. Both sides exchanged gifts after the talk.
Additionally, the delegation also tried on Hanfu for a taste of ancient Chinese fashion. During a later visit at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Street (West Street), they made their first incense bags and tried out moxibustion as ways to learn about the legendary Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Kratz Alexander, a member of the citizen delegation, has just gained new perspectives on traditional Chinese medicine. "I didn't know about traditional Chinese medicine before, but I will try it. I think it works because it's historical, and you have many thousands of years, you know. I think it will be good," he shared. He believes that medical science is a perfect field for China and Germany to work together and complement each other to improve people's lives.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Germany comprehensive strategic partnership. Zhuhai and Braunschweig will also continue to consolidate bilateral cooperation in culture, education, and tourism, creating a better future for their people.
Reporter | Guo Zedong
Video | Guo Hongda
Editor | Yuan Zixiang, James, Shen He
