A tourism event is held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, aiming to strengthen the cultural tourism cooperation between Shandong and Kazakhstan. [Photo/WeChat account: sddswlpd]

Shandong held a tourism event, featuring the theme "Hometown of Confucius, Friendly Shandong" in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on June 5, aiming to strengthen the cultural tourism cooperation between Shandong and Kazakhstan.

Shandong boasts a long history, rich culture, and abundant tourism offerings. The event was held to further strengthen Sino-Kazakh tourism cooperation, said Song Junji, vice-governor of Shandong province.

"China and Kazakhstan are good neighbors and partners," said Jiang Wei, consul general of China in Almaty. The event has given Kazakh people a better understanding of Shandong and helped both sides explore tourism cooperation opportunities, fueling cultural and tourism exchanges between the two countries, she added.

Almaty deputy mayor Alisher Abdykadyrov thought highly of the event and regarded it as an important platform for cultural, tourism and experience exchanges.

At the event, strategic cooperation agreements were signed between Shandong Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau and Kazakhstan's Central State Museum, as well as between the Management Committee of the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area and Almaty's Tourism Bureau. Three passenger transportation agreements were also signed by relevant tourism and aviation companies.

In addition, a promotional video was released, showcasing the positive experiences of Kazakhs living and working in Shandong and introducing the province's tourism routes aimed at international visitors. The event featured a variety of performances, including a Sino-Kazakh duet on traditional music and song, sand painting, and children's choir, which received warm applause.

This event gathered over 120 attendees including consul general of China in Almaty, deputy mayor of Almaty, president of Kazakhstan Tourism Association, president of Eurasia Tourism Association and representatives from the cultural, tourism, cultural relics institutes and enterprises.

A man performs sand painting at the event. [Photo/WeChat account: sddswlpd]

The sand painting presents the landscapes of Almaty, Kazakhstan. [Photo/WeChat account: sddswlpd]