Ningbo deepens cooperation with French city

Ningbo and the French city of Nice reach an agreement on the introduction of Nice Carnival on March 1. [Photo by Zhang Qiaonan/ Nouvelles d'Europe]

Ningbo in East China's Zhejiang province signed an agreement on the introduction of Nice Carnival with Nice, a large city on the French Riviera on March 1.

The agreement guaranteed that Nice Carnival, one of the world's major carnival events, will be held in Ningbo this autumn. During which, artistic performances, colorful parades and concerts with French characteristics will be staged for the Chinese audience.

Meanwhile, March 3 has been chosen as "Ningbo Day" at the carnival by the mayor's office in Nice.

Around the event, the two cities are going to conduct extensive and in-depth exchanges and cooperation on culture and tourism.

The Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi said Ningbo and Nice share a lot of resemblances including the affluent port resources and active roles in China's Belt and Road Initiative, laying a good foundation for the bilateral relations.

Wan Yawei, head of Ningbo's publicity department attended the signing ceremony and delivered a speech. He said though the two cities have different cultures, religious beliefs and customs, they have something in common that is worth seeking.

Wan told Zhang Qiaonan, a reporter from the renowned local Chinese-language newspaper Nouvelles d'Europe, that the Nice Carnival will be an important platform for the expansion of China-Europe ties.

He said Ningbo will sign a framework agreement with Nice. The introduction of the carnival is considered as a positive impetus to the collaboration between China and Europe, not only in the fields of culture and tourism, but also in economy, trade and education, according to Wan.

Ningbo held a promotion conference for its tourist resources on that day. Estrosi addressed the event, saying he hopes the local residents would get a better understanding of Ningbo and China. The year of 2018 is the China-EU Tourism Year and Nice is looking forward to more exchanges with Ningbo, the mayor said.