"Some of the great highlights between Bristol and Guangzhou have been really simple: sharing of food, sharing of ideas, sharing of problems that both cities face." That is how Professor Evelyn Welch, President of the University of Bristol, summed up a quarter-century of sister-city ties with Guangzhou.
Her reflections came during a milestone visit to Guangzhou, the provincial capital of Guangdong, where a delegation led by the Lord Mayor of Bristol, Henry Michallat, made its first official trip to mark 25 years of partnership between the two cities.
At the center of the visit was a new strategic agreement between the University of Bristol and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou). The collaboration includes the Young Ambassador Programme designed to deepen student mobility and cross-cultural understanding between the two urban centers.
"We see a future bright with possibilities where our youth in both cities really come together, learn about each other and each other's culture," Welch said. "Because that's the best way to ensure global prosperity and global peace."
Over the years, the ties have taken tangible form. A gold-medal garden created by Guangzhou for the Chelsea Flower Show now thrives in Bristol's botanical gardens. A lion dance costume gifted by the city has become a highlight of Chinese New Year celebrations in the UK. In turn, Welch observed, Guangzhou has drawn on Bristol's expertise in smart city development and the Internet of Things.
"It's been a fantastic 25 years of collaboration," she said. "I can't wait to see what happens over the next 25 years."
Ultimately, she noted, the bond between the two cities rests with the young. "The relationship between our two nations relies very much on the younger generation. So students, thank you for all you do to create a truly harmonious global world."
Reporter: Guo Zedong
Video, Photo & Cover: Guo Hongda
