Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

ROBERT ALDRIDGE, , Lord Provost of Edinburgh, said the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) serves as a platform for Edinburgh enterprises to explore potential partnerships and business opportunities in China and beyond.

Aldridge is leading a delegation that is visiting Shenzhen and will attend the 20th edition of the ICIF, which opens today. He met with Shenzhen Mayor Qin Weizhong yesterday.

The Lord Provost’s visit to the ICIF comes at a time when cultural and business exchanges between Edinburgh and Shenzhen, two sister cities, are gaining momentum.

“We have 10 companies who are coming to present [at the ICIF]. They are all looking for more contacts, more opportunities in China and beyond, and also to have partnerships with Chinese companies,” Aldridge said during an interview yesterday.

The Lord Provost expressed his admiration for the dynamic and young city of Shenzhen, emphasizing the importance of learning good practices and sustainability from each other.

“It’s such a dynamic, young city. I am so impressed that it has developed so quickly and so well. In Edinburgh, it is very important to us — the whole issue of sustainability — and I see how seriously the city of Shenzhen takes that,” Aldridge said.

He also highlighted that Edinburgh and Shenzhen have complementary industries, such as innovation, technology, culture, and creative arts, in which they sought closer cooperation.

“We have a whole range of areas where we have complementary industries and want to cooperate with Shenzhen,” the Lord Provost said.

The delegation accompanying the Lord Provost includes representatives from companies involved in animation and visual effects, exhibitions, film and television production, brewing, art galleries, education, and others.