Wang Weizhong, governor of Guangdong province, met with Hideaki Ohmura, governor of Japan's Aichi prefecture in Guangzhou on October 16.

Wang welcomed Ohmura and his delegation, who are in Guangdong to participate in the Canton Fair. Wang said that, since the establishment of the sister province/prefecture relations in 2019, both sides have deepened exchanges and cooperation, yielding fruitful results.

Wang Weizhong, governor of Guangdong province, meets with Hideaki Ohmura, governor of Japan's Aichi prefecture in Guangzhou on October 16. [Photo/ gdfao.gov.cn]

Wang Weizhong, governor of Guangdong province, meets with Hideaki Ohmura, governor of Japan's Aichi prefecture in Guangzhou on October 16. [Photo/ gdfao.gov.cn]

He said that, as an important province for China in terms of foreign trade and and technological innovation, Guangdong is fully implementing the guiding principles of the third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee. The province remains committed to deepening reforms, expanding high-level opening-up and pushing forward the new phase development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Wang expressed Guangdong's willingness to further strengthen cooperation with Aichi prefecture. Taking the fifth anniversary of their friendship as an opportunity, Guangdong will enhance collaboration in areas such as trade, investment, technological innovation and cultural tourism. He emphasized the importance of pragmatic cooperation in advanced manufacturing, particularly in the automotive industry's transformation and innovation, as well as promoting youth exchanges to build a stronger foundation of friendship between the two regions.

Wang Weizhong, governor of Guangdong province, meets with Hideaki Ohmura, governor of Japan's Aichi prefecture in Guangzhou on October 16. [Photo/ gdfao.gov.cn]

Ohmura recalled his past visits to Guangdong and noted the significance of the anniversary. He acknowledged the close ties and solid foundation of cooperation between Aichi and Guangdong over the years. Ohmura expressed hope for further expanding economic and trade exchanges, deepening collaboration in technological innovation and advanced manufacturing, and enhancing cultural and tourism cooperation, alongside youth exchanges, to achieve win-win development for both sides.

Timeline of key exchanges between Guangdong and Aichi:

In June 2024, Huang Ningsheng, deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Guangdong Provincial People's Congress and Liu Chenzi, director-general of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, led a delegation to visit Aichi, where Hideaki Ohmura hosted a reception for them.

In April 2019, Ma Xingrui, then governor of Guangdong, visited Aichi prefecture and met with Hideaki Ohmura, governor of Japan's Aichi prefecture. In May, Ohmura visited Guangdong, where they signed the official friendship agreement.

In September 2016, Hideaki Ohmura visited Guangdong. He met with Zhu Xiaodan, then governor of Guangdong, and participated in the Guangdong International Tourism Industry Expo, where Aichi hosted a trade and tourism promotion event in Guangzhou.

In November 2013, Hideaki Ohmura made his first visit to Guangdong and signed the "Memorandum of Understanding on Exchange and Cooperation" with Zhu Xiaodan, then governor of Guangdong.

To date, both regions have successfully organized five youth exchange programs. These activities, including school visits, cultural experiences and homestays, have significantly enhanced mutual understanding and laid a strong foundation for the continued development of friendly ties between Guangdong and Aichi.

Ma Xingrui, then governor of Guangdong, meets with Hideaki Ohmura, governor of Japan's Aichi prefecture, in April 2019. In May, Ohmura visited Guangdong, where they signed the official friendship agreement. [Photo/gdfao.gov.cn]

Ma Xingrui, then governor of Guangdong, meets with Hideaki Ohmura, governor of Japan's Aichi prefecture, in April 2019. In May, Ohmura visited Guangdong, where they signed the official friendship agreement. [Photo/gdfao.gov.cn]

Ma Xingrui, then governor of Guangdong, meets with Hideaki Ohmura, governor of Japan's Aichi prefecture, in April 2019. In May, Ohmura visited Guangdong, where they signed the official friendship agreement. [Photo/gdfao.gov.cn]

Zhu Xiaodan, then governor of Guangdong, met with Hideaki Ohmura, governor of Japan's Aichi prefecture, in September 2016.  Ohmura visited Guangdong and participated in the Guangdong International Tourism Industry Expo, where Aichi hosted a trade and tourism promotion event in Guangzhou. [Photo/gdfao.gov.cn]

Zhu Xiaodan, then governor of Guangdong, signs the "Memorandum of Understanding on Exchange and Cooperation" with Hideaki Ohmura, governor of Japan's Aichi prefecture, in November 2013.  [Photo/gdfao.gov.cn]

Zhu Xiaodan, then governor of Guangdong, signs the "Memorandum of Understanding on Exchange and Cooperation" with Hideaki Ohmura, governor of Japan's Aichi prefecture, in November 2013.  [Photo/gdfao.gov.cn]

The youth exchange programs, including school visits, cultural experiences and homestays, have significantly enhanced mutual understanding and laid a strong foundation for the continued development of friendly ties between Guangdong and Aichi. [Photo/gdfao.gov.cn]

The youth exchange programs, including school visits, cultural experiences and homestays, have significantly enhanced mutual understanding and laid a strong foundation for the continued development of friendly ties between Guangdong and Aichi. [Photo/gdfao.gov.cn]

The youth exchange programs, including school visits, cultural experiences and homestays, have significantly enhanced mutual understanding and laid a strong foundation for the continued development of friendly ties between Guangdong and Aichi. [Photo/gdfao.gov.cn]