Shenyang warmly welcomes visitors to winter conference
The 18th World Winter Cities Association for Mayors Conference kicked of on Sept 12 in Shenyang, drawing global attention to cities with long winters in some of the globe’s northernmost regions.
Themed “Better Winter City, Better Life”, the conference showcased practical methods for improving people’s daily lives in cold climates, and in some cases, transforming the long winter season itself into a valuable resource.
Mayors exchanged their opinions about such topics including city planning and tourism promotion, providing solutions to winter transportation, snow clearing and removal and other ways of dealing with extreme climates.
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Clockwise from top: The 18th World Winter Cities Association for Mayors Conference kicks of on Sept 12 in Shenyang, drawing global attention to improving people’s daily lives in cold climates and transforming the long winter season into a valuable resource. A new direct flight route between Shenyang and Los Angeles will begin operations on Dec 18. The 18th WWCAM Conference, hosted by the Shenyang city government and the World Winter Cities Association for Mayors, attracts participants from 30 countries. Photos Provided to China Daily |
Hosted by the Shenyang city government and World Winter Cities Association for Mayors, the conference was attended by groups of delegates from 30 countries, including the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea and Belarus.
“This conference provided us a platform to discuss in-depth about high-quality urban construction and development, which is constructive to meet the new expectations of citizens for a better life,” Tang Yijun, governor of Liaoning province, said at the opening ceremony.
Liaoning in Northeast China, is a place with many industrial clusters and cultural relics, Tang said, adding that Shenyang, the capital city of the province, plays an important role in Liaoning’s economic and social development.
He noted that at present, China’s development has entered a new era, and Liaoning has embarked on a new journey toward comprehensive revitalization.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up, and presents an opportunity to deepen the reform and take an active part in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, striving to achieve a more affluent society, Tang said.
The three-day conference also saw a group of friendship agreements signed by Shenyang and the WWCAM member cities. Countries involved in the BRI also participated in the event.
At the opening day, Shenyang signed friendship agreements with Rabat, capital city of Morocco, and Jinja in Uganda.
The city also signed a cooperation agreement with Prologis, a world leading industrial logistics company.
The International Friendship Gala Evening was also unveiled at the city on Sept 12. A total of around 1,200 visitors participated the event, including those attending the WWCAM conference.
The third “Shenyang in the Eye of Foreigners” theme party highlighted the city’s cultural heritage accumulated over its long history, as well as from its modern-day period. Peking Opera and qipao shows were performed, demonstrating some of the city’s traditional arts to visitors from around the world.
To upgrade the local traffic system and better connect with the global cities, a new direct flight route between Shenyang and Los Angeles in the United States will begin operations on Dec 18.
The flight duration will then be shortened to 12 hours. Previously, when people in Shenyang wanted to fly to Los Angeles, they had to transfer in other cities such as Beijing or Seoul.
(China Daily European Weekly 11/16/2018 page16)