Editor’s Note: Zhejiang has accelerated the process of internationalization and undergone broader global exchanges and cooperation in the fields of anti-epidemic health, economic recovery, sports, carbon reduction, and emission reduction, and made new changes for the sustainable development of the cities and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Today’s coverage will keep you well informed of Zhejiang’s initiatives to strengthen its influences and roles at home and abroad.  

1. 21 mayors promote global exchange in Hangzhou sister city conference

The 8th Hangzhou International Sister City Mayors Conference, with the theme "Internationalization and City Development", kicked off in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Tuesday. Mayors or their representatives from 21 cities attended the conference both online and offline, exchanging ideas and seeking cooperation and mutual development. Three parallel sessions themed "Recovery of Urban Economy against COVID-19," "Sports Events and City Internationalization," and "Sister City Promotion and Networking" were held.

Since the first Hangzhou International Sister City Mayors Conference was held in 2008, many activities have been successfully hosted to promote global exchanges. According to the mayors who attended the conference, the cities worked together with Hangzhou to strengthen cooperation in the fields of anti-epidemic health, economic recovery, sports, carbon reduction, and emission reduction and made new changes for the sustainable development of the cities and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

2. Hangzhou recognized for policy cooperation with Europe

Hangzhou in East China's Zhejiang province was included in the third batch of regions for exemplified cooperation between China and Europe in policy cooperation, according to a list recently released by the National Development and Reform Commission.

Hangzhou won recognition for its achievements in building its cross-border e-commerce comprehensive piloted area, cross-border e-commerce payment institutes, and cross-border e-commerce logistics system, as well as for promoting China-Europe e-commerce cooperation.

In March 2015, Hangzhou was a pioneer nationally for setting up its cross-border e-commerce comprehensive piloted area. To date, the experience of the China (Hangzhou) Cross-border E-commerce Comprehensive Pilot Area has been replicated and promoted to 104 zones.

Statistics showed that Hangzhou's cross-border e-commerce exports in 2020 were almost six times larger than that of five years ago. The annual exports of Hangzhou's local cross-border e-commerce platforms, such as the International Station of Alibaba and Wholee, reached nearly 245 billion yuan ($38.34 billion). These platforms are able to reach over 200 countries and regions, serving more than 600,000 small and medium-sized companies.

3. Win-win cooperation solidifies Hangzhou, YRD cities ties

This year marks the third anniversary of the promotion of the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region into a national strategy. Within three years, Hangzhou has inked more than 30 cooperative agreements with eight cities in the YRD region, which have benefited its transportation, culture, tourism, ecological protection, and public service sectors.

Finding shared interests with different cities has been the key to Hangzhou's successful intercity cooperation.

For example, ecological and economic benefits have been the basis for cooperation between Hangzhou and Huangshan in East China's Anhui province, which joined the Hangzhou metropolitan circle in 2018. The two cities have been working in several fields, especially in the featured agricultural industry.

4. Zhejiang to build 1,000 museums in rural areas

The 2021 International Symposium on Museums and Sustainability was held from Nov 21 to 24 in Anji county of Huzhou, East China's Zhejiang province.

In recent years, Zhejiang has actively explored the construction of museums in rural areas. The Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism recently published a five-year action plan (2021-25) on the development of the culture and tourism sectors. Zhejiang authorities have set goals of having one world-class museum, 10 domestically leading museums, 100 national-level museums, and 1,000 museums in rural areas across the province by 2025.

5. Putuo recognized as the hometown of China's folk culture

Putuo district in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province has recently been recognized as the hometown of China's folk culture by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, local media reported.

The fishermen's paintings in Putuo have evolved from the decorative paintings on ships in ancient times and are among the fourth batch of provincial intangible cultural heritage items. The fishermen's paintings in the district mainly depict local fishermen, folk customs, and folk tales using bold design, rich imagination, and bright colors.

Over the past three years, more than 200 fishermen's paintings from Putuo have won provincial and national awards and over 200 works have been collected by the Chicago Public Library, the China Folk Art Museum, the China Agricultural Museum, and Zhejiang Art Museum. Currently, nearly 100 fishermen's paintings in Putuo have obtained certificates of intellectual property rights.

Editor: Huang Yan