A cultural and tourism conference was held on Dec 22 in Qingdao, Shandong province to boost the city's ties with Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao.

A cultural and tourism conference is held on Dec 22 in Qingdao to boost the city's ties with Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. [Photo/WeChat account: qdfbwx]

Jointly hosted by the Qingdao municipal government, General Chamber of Commerce of Taiwan, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and Travel Industry Council of Macao, the conference was the largest and most influential cultural and tourism exchange event between Shandong province and Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao this year, said local officials.

More than 100 guests from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao were invited to participate in the conference, while more than 3,000 representatives from cultural and tourism related industries attended the event via online channels.

Xue Qingguo, vice mayor of Qingdao, said that the city is expediting efforts to develop an international fashion industry, integrate diverse culture and tourism resources and become a vibrant and innovative city.

The conference will help promote exchange and cooperation in cultural and creative industries in Qingdao, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, and help Qingdao accelerate development of an international fashion industry, said Xue.

Laoshan Mountain scenic area is unveiled as the Shandong-Taiwan exchange base at the conference. [Photo/qingdaonews.com]

Andy Wu Keng Kuong, chairman of the Travel Industry Council of Macao, said that, as an important part of the modern service industry, tourism has become a strategic pillar industry of the national economy. He also said that Macao and Qingdao have a lot in common.

"Macao and Qingdao both have rich tourism resources and have been assigned different roles in promoting national development plans and strategies. Tourism exchange and cooperation between the two cities is extensive," he said.

"I hope the two places will build a platform based on tourism, strengthen industrial project cooperation and improve tourism products and services, so as to offer convenient and diverse travel choices to tourists from both places."