During this year's Shandong International Friendship Cities Cooperation and Exchange Week in East China's Shandong province, participants from 47 countries shared their understanding of Shandong in different languages, highlighting the people of the province for their hospitality and their open-mindedness to embrace the world.

Éva Balla, deputy governor of Hungary's Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, shows her great interest in the ancient eaves and arches of traditional buildings in Shandong. "Shandong is very successful in the preservation of traditional culture and ancient architecture, which is something we need to learn from,” Balla said.

What impressed her even more was the cultural consciousness and identity of the people of Shandong.

She said that whether the elderly practicing Tai Chi by the Baotu Spring in Jinan who recite passages from The Analects of Confucius, or the young museum tour guides in the Shandong Museum who passionately tell the story of pottery figurines in Han Dynasty (202 BC–AD 220), all demonstrate a deep appreciation for the roots of civilization.

The cultural confidence they show is the foundation that gives Shandong the confidence to open its arms and engage in dialogue with the world, she added.

A participant from Belarus said that technological innovation has become a label for Shandong. "Our high-quality wood materials combined with Shandong's advanced wood processing industry are like the perfect fit of mortise and tenon," he said, highlighting that cooperation has significantly increased both sides' competitiveness in the international market.