As early winter descends, flocks of seagulls circle and dance across the sky above Dianchi Lake. Outside the Haigeng Convention Center, numerous tourists gather to feed the seagulls and take photos, gradually unveiling a beautiful tableau of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

Inside the Haigeng Convention Center, an international conference is in full swing. On November 18, China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024, themed "Common Prosperity Shared Future" officially commenced in Kunming. Representatives from over 40 countries, 60 provinces and states, 120 cities, and 60 local government organizations or friendly organizations convened to together to foster friendly exchanges and collective progress.

Maximov Andrey, General Director of the Union of Russian Cities, is being interviewed. (Photo by  Yang Yan)

Maximov Andrey, General Director of the Union of Russian Cities, expressed his admiration for the scale of the conference: "With representatives from over 40 countries, hundreds of guests in attendance, it’s a remarkable event, especially held in such a beautiful city like Kunming!"

Andrey deeply resonated with the theme of the conference—"Common Prosperity Shared Future". In his view, the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity represents a contemporary consensus. "We face common challenges that require us to jointly share governance and development experiences. Kunming provides a platform for mutual exchange and mutual learning. I believe that discussions among countries will be actively pursued in the upcoming activities and meetings."

Maximov Andrey, General Director of the Union of Russian Cities. (Photo by Yang Yan)

Although it was his first visit to Kunming, Andrey was immediately captivated by the charm of the city. "The greenery here is fantastic!" Kunming is filled with lush trees and vibrant flowers, resembling a green garden city. This city, renowned for its beauty overseas, has also won the hearts of his Russian companions. "The foreign guests traveling with me are equally enamored with Kunming!" Andrey said with anticipation, "I hope and believe that after us, more and more Russian tourists will come to Kunming, falling deeply in love with this charming city just as we have!"

Maximov Andrey, General Director of the Union of Russian Cities, is being interviewed. (Photo by reporter Pan Xueting)

How delightful it is to welcome friends from friendship cities! In this picturesque and vibrant Spring City, Kunming warmly welcomes friends from all over the world with its unique charm. The bustling interactions between tourists and seagulls by Dianchi Lake seems to showcase Kunming’s hospitality and friendliness to the world. It is foreseeable that the China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024 will leave a significant mark in the development history of Yunnan's international friendship cities cooperation.

In recent years, Yunnan Province has consistently upheld the principles of openness, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation, steadfastly promoting international friendship cities initiatives. Throughout this process, the scope of cooperation has continuously expanded, with depth constantly being explored, demonstrating a thriving development trend. Currently, Yunnan Province is actively playing its crucial role as host, seizing the significant opportunities presented by this conference. Through various means, it is expanding its international "circle of friends" and constructing bridges of friendship connecting to the world. This bridge will not only serve as an critical link for communication between Yunnan and the world but also as a window for the world to gain a deeper understanding of Yunnan and, consequently, China, continuously creating broader space for international friendly exchanges and cooperation. 

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(Editors: Jennifer, Rachel)