World Canal Cities Forum: Jiangsu committed to protection

2020-09-29 15:39:00

Carlos Gutiérrez, former commerce secretary of US speaks via video.

The 2020 World Canal Cities Forum opened in Yangzhou City of Jiangsu Province on September 28.

In his speech, Liu Qibao, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), fully affirmed Jiangsu’s achievements made in the construction of the Grand Canal Cultural Belt. He hoped the forum will become more international, thoughtful and inspirational to all sides, better promote the advanced ideas and successful practices in the conservation and development of canal’s cultural legacy, and support the Grand Canal Cultural Belt and National Cultural Park initiatives. It’s also necessary to improve the forum’s role in boosting interactions, exchanges and cooperation among the canal cities and rallying such cities and all parties to jointly building a community of common destiny.

Lou Qinjian, secretary of the CPC Jiangsu Committee, said that the Jiangsu section of the Grand Canal has the longest history, richest cultural heritage, and best waterway development. In recent years, Jiangsu has earnestly implemented the important instructions of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, resolutely put into practice decisions of the CPC Central Committee, and formulated the guideline over the inheritance, conservation and development of the section. The province also emphasizes on high quality in building the China Grand Canal Museum and the Grand Canal National Cultural Park cloud platform. For 14 years in a row, Jiangsu has hosted the World Canal Cities Forum and strived to achieve scientific utilization and sustainable development of canal, building the Jiangsu section as a leader, pioneer and role model in the country.

The forum was themed “Sustainable Prosperity and Development of Cultural Tourism Industry of World Canal Cities.” Leading officials from the central government departments and commissions, Jiangsu and its 13 cities that have subordinate districts, and domestic canal cities joined diplomatic envoys from countries that have canal cities, representatives of international organizations, scholars, business leaders and reporters to attend the opening ceremony.

More than 60 mayors or representatives of mayors from foreign canal cities, representatives of famous canal administrations, and canal research institutions will participate this forum virtually.