The light show at the Xiamen Shimao Strait Tower. [Photo/WeChat account of XMFAO]
This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-Brazil diplomatic relations and to commemorate the journey, Xiamen and other cities in China, including Beijing, Tianjin and Chongqing, along with multiple Brazilian cities, hosted light shows at their respective landmark buildings on the evening of Aug 15, local time.
The event aimed to enhance the friendship between the peoples of China and Brazil, deepen exchanges between sister cities, provinces and states, and boost the far-reaching strategic partnership between the nations.
As major developing countries and important emerging markets, China and Brazil are good friends with shared aspirations as well as partners who strive forwards together.
Engagements between over 60 pairs of sister cities are widely said to play a crucial role in improving mutual understanding and bilateral relations between the peoples of China and Brazil, facilitating mutually beneficial cooperation in a raft of fields.
In May 2023, Xiamen officially became sister city with Fortaleza, an important city in the northeastern state of Ceara in Brazil. In April 2024, the two cities hosted a photography exhibition in Fortaleza. Xiamen presented Fortaleza with books introducing modernization with Chinese characteristics, Chinese culture as well as local customs and human touch.
The two cities have reached consensus that the 50th anniversary of China-Brazil diplomatic relations will bring more exchanges and cooperation in fields such as healthcare and talent development.
China has launched a new pilot program to allow eligible enterprises greater access to overseas financing in support of green and low-carbon transformation projects, the country's foreign exchange regulator said on Aug 21.
To further streamline the experience, China is expanding tax refund stores, broadening the range of refundable goods, and refining refund procedures, ensuring an efficient and seamless shopping experience for global visitors.
