In an endeavor to deepen international bonds, 58 cities from 26 distinct countries have united under the International Tourism Alliance of Silk Road Cities. This alliance aims to enhance collaboration across tourism, technology, education, and sports, as unveiled during a forum convened in Jingdezhen, the historic hub of China’s ceramic artistry in Jiangxi Province.
Lu Yingchuan, China’s vice minister of culture and tourism, emphasized that the formation of this alliance is a testament to China’s commitment to embracing the spirit of the Silk Road – a principle introduced in 2017. This age-old spirit, emphasizing peace, cooperation, openness, mutual learning, and mutual benefits, is a foundation that China is eager to strengthen and propagate. Through this alliance, China envisions augmenting people-to-people bonds, fostering cultural interactions, and accelerating advancements in domains ranging from science and health to sports and education.
One of the pivotal outcomes of the forum was the unveiling of the Jingdezhen Declaration. This charter emphasizes the values of mutual consultation, collaborative contributions, and shared gains, all rooted in the timeless Silk Road spirit. Echoing these sentiments, the declaration revealed the alliance’s commitment to evolving as an inclusive paradigm of international tourism collaboration. This collaboration is seen as a pathway to sustainable tourism growth, dovetailing with the overarching Global Civilization Initiative. The document underscores inclusivity, trust, enhanced global communication, and fostering deeper human connections.
The member cities of this alliance encapsulate a diverse range of nations, from BRI members like Iran and South Africa to BRICS affiliates such as Brazil. The South African Ambassador to China, Siyabonga Cwele, spotlighted the forthcoming increase in direct flights between China and South Africa. Cwele noted the pivotal role such connectivity plays in bolstering economic, cultural, and tourism links. He shared an optimistic outlook, predicting a tenfold rise in Chinese tourists visiting South Africa by 2030. Additionally, South Africa’s tourism minister is scheduled to promote tourism projects in China by the year’s end.
Adding to the discourse, former Brazilian tourism minister, Vinicius Lummertz, highlighted the changing dynamics in global tourism. As traditional tourist destinations grapple with saturation, emerging destinations, like the Silk Road cities, are witnessing an uptick in interest and promise exciting, novel experiences for global travelers.
Jingdezhen, colloquially dubbed China’s “porcelain capital,” boasts a legacy spanning over 1,800 years. Its exceptional porcelain-making techniques and its role as an official royal kiln set it apart from contemporaries. Jingdezhen is envisioned to evolve into a focal point of ceramic culture inheritance, tourism, and global exchange, in alignment with provincial development strategies.
Liu Feng, a key official of Jingdezhen, emphasized the city’s historical significance as a nexus of global civilizations, bridged through its renowned ceramic artistry. The city hopes to seamlessly integrate its rich legacy into the broader Belt and Road Initiative through the newly established alliance.
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