Officials from Shandong's Liaocheng city attended the provincial government delegation and visited three Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan - from Sept 2 to 9 to deepen communication and cooperation.

Liaocheng's Dongchangfu paper-cutting artwork is displayed at the "Friendly Shandong, Good Shandong Products" exhibition that was held on Sept 6 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Liaocheng delegation participated in a series of economic, trade and cultural exchange activities held by the Shandong provincial government in the Central Asian countries, and had talks and exchanges with local government departments, sister cities, overseas Chinese associations and enterprises, in a bid to further integrate itself into Belt and Road cooperation, and enhance friendships in Central Asia.

In Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, the Liaocheng delegation attended an event to further cooperation and exchanges between Shandong and Kazakhstan as well as to mark the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. Two companies from Liaocheng signed cooperative agreements with local enterprises.

In Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, the Liaocheng delegation attended the China (Shandong)-Uzbekistan Cooperation and Exchange Conference. Shandong Sinoglory Health Food Co, a Liaocheng-based company, also signed a long-term cooperation framework agreement with a local company.

Liaocheng hosted a business promotional event in Tashkent, during which time the city's basic situation, business environment and advantageous industries were introduced.

Liaocheng's gourd pyrography works are displayed at a Shandong promotional exhibition on Sept 5 in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, the Liaocheng delegation attended the Shandong-Kyrgyz company cooperation and exchange meeting.

Liaocheng's exquisite handcrafts were also displayed during cultural exchange events in the three Central Asian countries.

The visit by the Liaocheng delegation from Shandong province conveys the good wishes of close neighbors and promotes friendly exchanges and win-win cooperation, said local officials.

A foreign visitor is attracted by Liaocheng's gourd pyrography works. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]