China, Luxembourg deepen local cooperation and people-to-people exchanges

China and Luxembourg have pledged to deepen local-level cooperation and people-to-people exchanges following a series of high-level activities held during a visit by a delegation from the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries to the European country from May 9 to 11.

The delegation, led by CPAFFC Vice-President Yuan Mindao, visited Luxembourg at the invitation of the Association luxembourgeoise des communes. Representatives from Chinese cities, including Zhengzhou, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Changzhou, Ma'anshan and Fuzhou, also joined the trip. Hua Ning, Chinese ambassador to Luxembourg, accompanied the delegation during the visit and attended related activities.

On May 10, the delegation visited the Luxembourg City government and attended the China-Luxembourg Forum on Innovation and Development Cooperation between Local Authorities. Officials from both countries exchanged views on urban governance, scientific and technological innovation, housing, finance, culture and sports, while introducing the distinctive industries and development strengths of their respective cities.

Participants also explored opportunities for future cooperation and reached a series of consensuses on strengthening exchanges between local governments and institutions.

During the visit, the Chinese delegation also met with Claude Wiseler, president of Luxembourg's Chamber of Deputies. Both sides expressed hopes for further enhancing exchanges and cooperation at both national and local levels to advance bilateral relations.

Wiseler said Luxembourg-China political and economic ties have maintained sound momentum and noted that the Luxembourg parliament attaches great importance to relations with China. He also recalled the official visit to China by a parliamentary delegation from Luxembourg in December, saying it had played a positive role in promoting bilateral exchanges.

Yuan said the CPAFFC is willing to continue serving as a platform to facilitate friendly exchanges among local governments and institutions of the two countries, deepen cooperation in economic, trade and cultural fields, and achieve more concrete outcomes in local cooperation.

On May 9, the delegation attended Europe Day commemorative activities in Schengen, Luxembourg. Members visited the Princess Marie-Astrid, where the Schengen Agreement was signed, to learn more about the history and development of European integration.

The two sides also exchanged views on promoting openness, cooperation and people-to-people friendship between China and Europe.

The same day, the delegation visited the Moselle wine-producing region and the Luxembourg Wine Institute to learn about the development of the local wine industry. Accompanied by Remich Mayor Jacques Sitz, the delegation also toured the city to gain insights into historical heritage preservation and public services.

On May 11, Zhengzhou Municipal People's Government, ProSud (Union of Southern Municipalities of Luxembourg), and AGORA S.a r.l. signed a landmark cooperation memorandum of understanding in the Belval industrial zone, marking the first local-level MOU between China and Luxembourg. The two sides will strengthen cooperation in areas including climate change, environmental protection, new energy, industrial brownfield redevelopment, and smart cities, and will conduct information exchange and mutual visits.

The CPAFFC delegation together with representatives from six Chinese cities also visited the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology and Luxinnovation to learn about Luxembourg's innovation ecosystem. The signing and visits took place in the Belval redevelopment area, highlighting industrial transformation and innovation cooperation. In the afternoon, the delegation attended a chamber-of-commerce matchmaking session to further promote economic and business exchanges.

In addition, the delegation visited Luxembourg's National Fire and Rescue Center, where members learned about the country's emergency response and fire rescue command systems. The two sides exchanged views on advancing people-centered urbanization and promoting the development of safer and smarter cities.