Recently, the Tokyo Metropolitan delegation of special wards, cities, towns, and villages from Japan visited Beijing. During their stay, the delegation toured several districts and engaged in friendly exchanges, building bridges to further promote the sister-city relationship and deepen cooperation in various fields between Beijing and Tokyo Metropolis.
Dongcheng District:
The delegation visited the Beijing Central Axis, gaining insights into the history of Qianmen Street and experiencing the many time-honored brands and the traditional culture they represent. The delegation also toured around the district on other topics: the revitalization and utilization of historic and cultural buildings including old guild halls; the renovation and renewal of the old town and neighborhoods in Sanlihe; and the practices of the Party-led community-level self-governance at the “courtyard meeting room”.
Group photo of the delegation at Qianmen
Shinjuku, Tokyo, became Dongcheng District’s sister city in 1997. Kenichi Yoshizumi, Mayor of Shinjuku Ward and a delegation member, stated that this visit has deepened his understanding of Dongcheng District. He expressed readiness to further enhance friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two sides across various fields including culture, education, commerce, and trade.
Chaoyang District:
The delegation paid a visit to the Liangma River International Waterfront for the ongoing Beijing Chaoyang International Light Festival, enjoying the unique charm of Chaoyang’s nighttime fashion vibe.
Meeting between the delegation and a senior official of Chaoyang District
Amazed by the dazzling lights, the delegation members all took out their phones to capture the moment. They marveled at this one-of-a-kind Light Festival and expressed their hope to learn from Chaoyang District’s experience in urban renewal and deepen friendly cooperation between the two sides.
Fengtai District:
At the Lize Financial Business District, the delegation visited Leeza SOHO, where they were provided with very detailed introduction of the design, construction, and usage of the buildings. They expressed their praise and took a group photo. At the Cloud Reception Hall of Leeza SOHO, the delegation had a bird’s-eye view of western Beijing and were captivated by the city’s vibrancy. Through the promotional video, the delegation also gained deeper understanding of the local business environment and the implementation of relevant policies.
This year marks the 32nd anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Fengtai District and Katsushika Ward of Tokyo Metropolis. Both sides expressed their willingness to further strengthen communication and promote practical cooperation.
Tongzhou District:
The delegation visited the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center (BMC) for detailed understanding of the achievements in its planning and construction. At the Beijing “Two Zones” Reception Hall in the Canal Business District, the delegation members listened attentively to the presentation on the development of the Canal Business District and the “two zones” policies. At the Beijing Library, the delegation admired the library’s innovative design and modern facilities. They also conversed with the library staffs to learn about the library’s efforts in promoting nationwide smart reading and facilitating cultural exchanges.
All members of the delegation acknowledged the successful practices in the construction of the BMC, and emphasized their readiness to expand cooperation and exchanges into more areas with Tongzhou District in the future, jointly contributing to the continuous development of China-Japan friendly relations.
Further Reading
On March 14, 1979, Beijing and Tokyo Metropolis officially established their sister-city relationship, making Tokyo Metropolis the first international sister city of Beijing.
(Edited based on the relevant information from the Foreign Affairs Offices of Dongcheng District, Chaoyang District, Fengtai District and Tongzhou District)
