Gala in Shanghai promotes more open image of Shanxi

Intangible cultural heritage items attract the interest of international guests at "Shanxi Night" on Nov 5. [Photo/Shanxi Daily] 

"Shanxi Night," an event promoting North China's Shanxi province to the world, was held in Shanghai on Nov 5. 

Before it got underway, Jin Xiangjun, governor of Shanxi, met with Aleksandr Chervyakov, Belarus' minister of economy, and Yuri Senko, Belarus' ambassador to China, as well as H.I. Mandanas, the governor of Batangas Province in the Philippines. 

They discussed practical cooperation in the fields of trade, agriculture, technology, and culture, as well as other ways of boosting their sister-city relationships. 

Jin stated at the event that the China International Import Expo (CIIE) provides an opportunity for Shanxi to showcase its openness and expand cooperation. 

With convenient transportation, significant cost advantages in production, and a favorable business environment, Shanxi welcomes guests to appreciate its magnificent scenery and splendid civilization, and to promote economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges, he added.

A wheaten food making show is staged as part of "Shanxi Night" on Nov 5. [Photo/Shanxi Daily] 

Chen Jie, vice-mayor of Shanghai, said the "Shanxi Night" event demonstrates the province's confidence and determination to further open up and embrace the world. 

Shanghai will continue to engage closely with Shanxi in terms of business transformation, optimizing their respective business environments, and cultural exchanges and cooperation to achieve mutual benefits.

Li Jingze (center) and Liu Cixin (right) engage in a dialogue at "Shanxi Night" on Nov 5. [Photo/Shanxi Daily] 

The event also showcased the unique charm of Shanxi culture through artistic performances, a display of representative intangible cultural heritage, and a dinner buffet and party. 

Li Jingze, vice-chairman of the China Writers Association, and sci-fi writer Liu Cixin – both from Shanxi – were invited for an on-site dialogue, where they relayed some stories about Shanxi and presented the province's culture and development.