Heze in Shandong province hosted a promotional event in Colombo, Brazil on Oct 30 to boost their sister-city partnerships.

The event, titled "Friendly Shandong, Remarkable Shandong", presented a wide range of Heze's featured intangible cultural heritage items, cultural products and tourism brochures to local government departments, enterprises and schools.

In a video message that was screened at the opening ceremony, Zhang Peng, vice-mayor of Heze, introduced the historical heritage and cultural charm of Shandong and Heze.

He said Heze attaches great importance to friendly exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation with Colombo. Zhang expressed hope the two sides will strengthen their cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, manufacturing, and culture and tourism, while ensuring the latest chapter in their bilateral ties is underscored by mutual benefits in order to produce win-win outcomes.

Zhang also welcomed tourists from Colombo, and Brazil in general, to visit Heze, the "Peony Capital of China", to explore its splendid culture and picturesque landscapes.

Helder Lazarotto, mayor of Colombo, thanked Heze for the invitation and expressed great interest in Heze's cultural tourism industry and intangible cultural heritage items.

He said he hoped the two sides would continue to deepen exchanges and cooperation, and further enhance their friendly ties. He said he hoped the road of friendly cooperation with Heze would be a long-lasting one.

Students from Escola Municipal Isolina Ceccon in Colombo get paper-cuttings as presents and sourvenirs from Heze. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Young students display handicrafts from Heze at a museum in Colombo, Brazil. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Students at a school in Colombo, Brazil receive paper-cuttings as presents from Heze. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]