Zhang Jian, Mayor of Jinhua, meets with Meleidy Aguirre Diaz, consul general of the Cuban Consulate General in Shanghai, on June 18. [Photo/WeChat account: jhfabu]

Zhang Jian, Mayor of Jinhua, welcomed a delegation of foreign visa officers in China on June 18. The officers were participating in the "Foreign Consular Officers Visit Zhejiang" series of events, a key international exchange initiative of the province.

Since its inception in 2008, the event has been held 12 times. This year's edition saw the participation of 21 diplomats from 11 countries, including Cuba, Costa Rica, Slovenia, and Singapore.

Zhang warmly welcomed the guests and outlined Jinhua's economic and social development, highlighting how the city has leveraged its strengths in markets, commerce, transportation, and logistics to enhance its openness to the world.

As a result, Jinhua has become a significant node of the Belt and Road Initiative and a strategic pivot for the domestic and international dual circulation strategy.

Zhang expressed hope that the event would mark a new starting point for deepening high-quality economic and trade cooperation, expanding cultural integration across various fields, and enhancing friendships among youth.

Meleidy Aguirre Diaz, consul general of the Cuban Consulate General in Shanghai, expressed her heartfelt gratitude for Jinhua's warm reception, stating that she was very pleased to be invited to visit the city once again. She said that each visit allows her to deeply feel the city's openness and vitality, as well as its confidence and determination in serving the Belt and Road Initiative.

Diaz added that Cuba and Jinhua have long maintained close economic and trade relations and a deep friendship. She believes that through this event, both sides can further deepen cooperation in various fields and continuously advance their friendly relations.

During their stay in Jinhua, the foreign diplomats participated in international cultural exchanges and on-site inspections of markets and enterprises and attended a visa coordination and exchange symposium.

Editor: Zhong Xinyi