Yantai strengthens ties and cooperation with island nations

Yantai's Changdao Island focuses on building an international zero-carbon island. [Photo/VCG]

The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) is scheduled for Nov 11 in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Yantai will attend and host a side event focusing on its international zero-carbon island, where they will launch an initiative on international zero-carbon island cooperation.

In recent years, Yantai has achieved significant milestones in various fields of collaboration and cultural exchanges with dozens of island nations.

From Aug 27 to 30, 2023, Mahinda Abeywardana, the speaker of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, visited Yantai. They participated in the 2023 Green, Low-Carbon, and High-Quality Development Conference, inspecting and touring Yantai's leading enterprises and renowned scenic spots.

From April 6 to 8 this year, President Wesley W. Simina of the Federated States of Micronesia and his delegation visited Yantai, marking the first visit by a head of state to the city in recent years.

During their visit, the president explored the Changdao Marine Ecological Civilization Exhibition Hall to gain insights into the establishment of the international zero-carbon island. They also visited prominent Yantai enterprises such as Wanhua Chemical Group and Shandong Zhonglu Oceanic (Yantai) Foods Co Ltd, commending Yantai's achievements in green, high-quality development.

Several months later, the Yantai-Island Countries Green Low-Carbon Development Exchange Conference took place from Sept 22 to 24 in Yantai, with representatives from 14 countries in the Caribbean, Pacific, and Europe, as well as international organizations like the International Marine Carbon Sequestration Industry Organization, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, and the Alliance of Small Island States in attendance.

During the conference, Yantai highlighted its "International Zero-Carbon Islands Alliance" initiative and signed friendly cooperation agreements with Georgetown, Guyana, and Kolonia, Federated States of Micronesia. The conference's outcomes inject momentum into Yantai's efforts to become a model city for green, high-quality development.