From November 18 to 24, a delegation led by Consultant Sumi Tomoko and Vice President Niide Katsuhiko of the Japan-Ningxia Friendship Association, visited Ningxia. The delegation attended the celebration marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of international friendship city relationship between Yinchuan and Matsue, Japan.

During their stay, the delegation went to Ningxia University and Ningxia Institute of Science and Technology, engaging in dialogues with officials responsible for international exchanges. They delved into topics including the enrollment of international students, short and medium-term training programs, and the advancement of academic collaboration. At the Yinchuan-Matsue Meeting on Friendly Exchange and Cooperation, the delegation shared thoughts with the heads of foreign affairs and education from the Yinchuan municipal government, with a focus on enhancing cultural and people-to-people ties.

A photo exhibition commemorating two decades of international friendship city relations between Yinchuan and Matsue took the delegation back to 2004, after which they visited a range of sites including the Baijitan National Nature Reserve, Ningxia Goji Museum of Beryl Company, LG Mazak, International Wine Museum of Helan Mountains’ Eastern Foot, Yuanshi Vineyard, Niujiafang Village of Culture and Tourism, and Western Xia Mausoleums. These excursions provided the delegation with a closer look at Ningxia’s specialty and competitive industries, the integrated development of culture and tourism, and the success achieved in desertification prevention and control. The visit also served as a reflection on the history of amicable exchanges between Ningxia and Shimane Prefecture, as well as between Yinchuan and Matsue, offering a firsthand experience of Ningxia’s efforts in pursuing high-quality development and high-level opening up to the world.

Members of the Japan-Ningxia Friendship Association said that this visit presented a fresh perspective on Ningxia, with special notes on its increasing beauty, appeal, and vitality. The association pledged to carry on its role as a conduit, to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two peoples, foster substantive cooperation across various sectors, and work to ensure an enduring relationship between Ningxia and Japan that will continue to grow and reach new heights.