BEIJING, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 14th, Cai Shengjie, Mayor of Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China, made a city presentation during the Mayors' Roundtable Dialogue session of the 6th China-France Cultural Forum.

Aerial photo shows the cityscape of Quanzhou, Fujian Province, East China.

Located on the southeast coast of Fujian Province, Quanzhou is recognized by UNESCO as the starting point of the ancient "Maritime Silk Road". During the Song and Yuan dynasties, it was known as the "First Great Port of the East" and was an important trade hub.

Until now, Quanzhou is still China's deservedly large industrial city, strong private economy, is an important ceramics, tea, textile and footwear production and export bases, writing a thousand years of glory: ceramics products are sold to more than 190 countries and regions around the world, and the total amount of exports ranked first in China's cities; Iron Goddess of Mercy tea is recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and UNESCO as a globally important agricultural cultural heritage, intangible cultural heritage of mankind, becoming the tea world's double world heritage, and the world's most important cultural heritage. Tieguanyin tea has been recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and UNESCO as a globally important agricultural cultural heritage and intangible cultural heritage of mankind, making it a double World Heritage Site in the tea industry.

Since ancient times, Quanzhou has demonstrated a tolerant temperament of harmonious coexistence of multiple cultures. As early as during the Song and Yuan dynasties, foreigners inhabited one third of the ancient city of Quanzhou, which is known as the "Museum of the World's Religions", with different religions and cultures such as Buddhism, Nestorianism, Islam, Manichaeism, etc. In 2021, UNESCO inscribed the site of "Quanzhou: a center of world maritime commerce and trade in Song and Yuan dynasties" on the World Heritage List.

Quanzhou has a profound relationship with France; in 2010, Quanzhou and Hérault Province of France officially concluded a friendship city relationship, laying the foundation for further exchanges and cooperation between the two sides, and the China White International Ceramic Art Competition has been held every two years since the first Sino-French Cultural Forum in 2016.

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France and the Sino-French Cultural Tourism Year, exchanges between Quanzhou and France have become more frequent. Last month, Quanzhou's traditional costumes were presented at the China-France Fashion Week 2024.

Quanzhou Mayor Cai Shengjie said in the promotion that he hoped to strengthen foreign exchanges and cooperation in a wider, deeper and higher level through the bridge of China-France Cultural Forum, and warmly welcomed all the old and new friends to Quanzhou to feel the unique charms of Haisilk culture and the "City of World Heritage"!