Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met with Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel in Beijing on Monday.
During their meeting, Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, described relationship between China and Luxembourg as exemplary in harmonious coexistence and win-win cooperation between large and small nations.
He said that under the strategic guidance of their leaders, the two countries have maintained sound momentum in the development of bilateral ties and achieved fruitful outcomes in cooperation on multiple fronts. China, Ding said, is ready to work with Luxembourg to remain friends supporting each other and partners seeking common development. He emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation in areas of the "Air Silk Road" initiative, industrial and supply chains, sci-tech innovation, and green transformation.
Ding also called for joint opposition to protectionism and advocated promoting shared opportunities and mutual benefits between China and Luxembourg, as well as between China and the European Union for common development.
Bettel expressed Luxembourg's commitment to expanding new avenues of cooperation with China. He emphasized strengthening partnerships in finance, logistics, and new energy, and reiterated Luxembourg's willingness to play a positive role in fostering EU-China collaboration.
Bettel is on a visit to China from Nov 24 to 29.
Chinese vice premier meets Luxembourg's deputy PM
Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province is feverishly unfolding winter tourism and sports activities, entertaining tourists coming far and wide with its rich ice and snow resources in the wintertime.
In the picturesque China Snow Town Scenic Area, a fairytale winter holiday paradise featuring wooden houses covered by thick snow in mountains, a night running event warmed tourists with enthusiasm on Saturday.
"This is my first time to run marathon in the Snow Town. I feel warm inside and out, and I'm also in a hot mood," said a tourist.
The popular scenic area also held float parades, folk performances and laser shows to further enhance the lively atmosphere. Visitors were also offered with authentic local cuisines.
Winter swimming is an important part of the snow and ice culture in Heilongjiang. Amid plummeting sub-zero temperatures, the enthusiasts in Heihe City have broken through the frozen river to enjoy the daring activity in the chilly water.
"I'm from Fujian Province. I like Heilongjiang very much. The water quality here is really good," said a swimmer.
As the northernmost and easternmost province in China, Heilongjiang has become the most popular ice and snow tourist destination in the country. In 2023, the provincial government carried out a series of measures to activate the cultural tourism market, and introduced high-quality tourism development plans to release tourism consumption potential.
Data from the provincial department of culture and tourism showed that last year Heilongjiang received over 218 million tourists, a year-on-year increase of 85.1 percent, and achieved tourism revenue of 221 billion yuan (about 30.5 billion U.S. dollars), more than a threefold year-on-year increase.
The province has set the goal of receiving over 100 million tourists with tourism revenue exceeding 150 billion yuan in the ice and snow season of 2024.
Ice-snow activities attract Chinese tourists to Heilongjiang
