Chongqing - In recent years, Chongqing has seized the opportunity to accelerate building the city into a Hub for International Exchanges in Central and Western China, continuously integrating and expanding foreign affairs resources.

The city has increased efforts to invite foreign entities and expand its presence globally. As a result, Chongqing's international network has grown, fostering broader exchanges with sister cities, solidifying partnerships, and paving the way for a wider path of friendship.

On March 24, 2017, Chongqing formalized its sister city alliance with Minsk in Belarus, ushering in an era of robust exchanges and cooperative ventures between the two regions.

Minsk, strategically positioned in the heart of Belarus, stands as the largest of the nation's six administrative regions and spearheads the industrial and agricultural sectors. Minsk emphasizes the enhancement of Chinese-Belarusian relations. The monumental China-Belarus Industrial Park, a testament to the deepening ties between the two countries, is located here, with the China-Europe Railway Express (Chengdu-Chongqing) facilitating connectivity through the region.

Scenery of Minsk Oblast. (photo provided to iChongqing and Bridging News)

In January 2018, the Chongqing-Belarus Tourism Promotion Conference convened in Chongqing, culminating in a strategic cooperation memorandum between the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development and Minsk's tourism authorities. July of that same year saw the inauguration of a direct rail link between Chongqing and Minsk, which served as a cornerstone for burgeoning economic and trade collaborations. Concurrently, the "2018 Chongqing Culture Festival" and "Chongqing Cultural Tourism Day" were celebrated in Minsk. November 2018 marked the establishment of the Belarus Tourism and Cultural Commodities Center in Chongqing's Yubei District, alongside the signing of an agreement aimed at bolstering tourism, which coincided with the formation of a partnership between Wanzhou District of Chongqing and Kopyl District of Minsk Oblast. Chongqing also graced the "China-Belarus Year of Tourism" closing ceremony in December, where the Chongqing Cultural Tourism Promotion Center in Minsk was unveiled.

The direct rail link between Chongqing and Minsk was launched in July 2018. (Photo/YUXINOU (Chongqing) Logistics Co., LTD)

March 2019 featured the Chongqing-Minsk Business Forum and the inaugural Chongqing · Minsk Oblast Cultural Tourism Day, accompanied by a vibrant cultural and art showcase in Chongqing. In August 2019, the Yubei District of Chongqing and the Minsk region of Minsk Oblast solidified their friendly ties.

The Belarusian "Kupalinka" Folklore Group held a special performance at the Chongqing Guotai Arts Center. (Photo/Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government)

January 2022 heralded a photo exhibition commemorating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Belarus, paired with the launch of the Chongqing-Minsk TV Week. This was followed by an October online cultural and tourism conference hosted at the Window for International Exchanges of Chongqing Culture & Tourism. The China (Chongqing) - Belarus Economic and Trade Investment Forum occurred online in November 2022.

The photo exhibition commemorated the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Belarus. (Photo/Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government)

In June 2023, a delegation of 24 Chongqing enterprises ventured to Belarus to partake in the China Commodity and Services (Belarus) Show and the 2023 Chongqing Global Trade Export Commodity (Belarus) Exhibition at the China-Belarus Industrial Park in Minsk Oblast. In October, the debut of the Yuxin'ou Chongqing-Minsk route was a pioneering initiative in market procurement trade.

The debut of the Yuxin'ou Chongqing-Minsk route. (Photo/Shangyou News)

In February 2024, the festive "Happy Chinese New Year" series unfolded in Belarus, featuring the "Celebrate the New Year at the Center" event at the China Cultural Center in Minsk, encapsulating the spirit of international camaraderie and cultural exchange.

The "Happy Chinese New Year" event at the China Cultural Center in Minsk. (Photo/China Cultural Center)

Source: Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government