Two Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy ships, training ship Qi Jiguang and amphibious dock landing ship Jinggangshan, arrived in Bangladesh on Saturday for a three-day goodwill visit.
The Qi Jiguang ship, named after a 16th-century Chinese general of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), arrived in Chittagong, the largest port city of Bangladesh, on Saturday morning, with about 300 people, including staff from the Chinese embassy and consulate in Bangladesh, representatives of Chinese companies and Confucius Institutes, and representatives of Bangladeshi naval officers and soldiers, welcoming its arrival at the dock.
A banner carrying the sign of "even mountains and oceans cannot distance people with common aspirations" was hung on the Qi Jiguang ship, and a series of exchange activities have been scheduled.
"We were very excited after boarding the ship. Seeing the powerful Chinese Navy, we felt very proud as overseas constructors of the Belt and Road Initiative," said Wu Qiudong, a staff member at a Chinese company in Bangladesh.
The visit of the Chinese naval ships to Bangladesh was carried out in accordance with the annual international military cooperation plan, and is combined with the maritime practical training tasks of the cadets of the PLA Naval University of Engineering, said Chinese naval officers.
"The visit aims to strengthen exchanges, cooperation and mutual trust with the Bangladesh Navy and contribute to the building of a maritime community with a shared future. During the visit, the fleet will organize bilateral meetings, ship open visits and professional exchanges," said Kang Junwei, political commissar of the Qi Jiguang ship.
Chinese naval ships arrive in Bangladesh for goodwill visit
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
