The "Matsue Week" promotional event is held in Hangzhou on Nov 13. [Photo/WeChat account: HangzhouFAO]

The opening ceremony of the "Matsue Week" promotional event was held in Hangzhou on Nov 13.

Over the next five days, a photo exhibition showcasing Matsue's urban charm, including scenic spots, specialties, and youth exchanges, will be held at the City Balcony in Hangzhou.

During the event, Akihito Uesada, mayor of Matsue, wrote a wish for eternal friendship on a wishing plaque, expressing his hope for enduring ties between the two cities. He praised the extensive and deep cooperation and exchanges between Hangzhou and Matsue over the years and encouraged everyone to visit Matsue and experience its unique culture and natural beauty.

Following this, Uesada exchanged friendly commemorative plaques with Hangzhou officials and they visited the Matsue photo exhibition together.

Matsue is located on the eastern shore of Lake Shinji in the northern part of Shimane Prefecture, Japan, renowned for its beautiful natural scenery and rich historical traditions.

Hangzhou and Matsue signed a friendly exchange agreement in Oct 2003, officially establishing a friendship between the two cities. Over the past 20 years of exchanges, the two cities have seen increasingly frequent interactions, bringing people closer together and promoting cooperation in various fields, including economics, culture, sports, and education. In 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Matsue donated 30,000 masks to Hangzhou.

Uesada led a delegation to Hangzhou from Nov 11 to 14. During the visit, the delegation toured the Liangzhu Museum, the Archaeological Ruins Park of Liangzhu City, the China National Tea Museum, the Hangzhou City Brain, and Hangzhou No. 14 Middle School.