Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç SoyerCelebrated the Chinese New Year with Chinese citizens in Izmir upon the invitation of Liu Shaobin, the Chinese Ambassador to Ankara. President Soyer said that the relations that were interrupted during the pandemic period will be strengthened again.
Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyerparticipated in the 2023 Chinese New Year cultural events organized by the Izmir Chinese Aid and Solidarity Association. President of the event held at Balçova Thermal Hotel. Tunç Soyer and his wife Neptün Soyer, Chinese Ambassador to Ankara Liu Shaobin and his wife Lan Weibin, İzmir Deputy Governor Hulusi Doğan and his wife Zehra Cansız Doğan, İzmir Chinese Aid and Solidarity Association President Yağız Vang, association presidents, representatives of the business world, university students and the Chinese living in Izmir.
President Tunç Soyer, was welcomed with traditional folk dance of China. President Soyer, who signed the board prepared by China to commemorate 2023 with Ambassador Shaobin, also toured the stands where Chinese culture from kitchen to handicrafts was exhibited.
“We would like to host the Chengdu municipal committee in Izmir”
Speaking at the event, President Soyer said, “Unfortunately, our relations, which started much earlier, were interrupted during the pandemic process. We had invited the People's Republic of China as a guest country at the Izmir International Fair in 2019. We had decided to develop the sister city relationship between us and the representatives of Chengdu city. Because the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Turkey are home to the two largest civilizations in the world. We have many common denominators. I believe that these relations should be strengthened in a world where transportation and logistics opportunities are highly developed. We would like to host the Chengdu municipal committee in Izmir as soon as possible,” he said.
“We are ready to be the heart”
Saying that Izmir was one of the most important junction points of the Silk Road, which started from China for centuries, President Soyer continued his words as follows: “It almost worked like a heart pumping China's products and values to the West. We are ready to be the same heart again. I am also the mayor of all Chinese living in Izmir. Whatever they need when they're in trouble, I'm always there for them."
“The relations between China and Izmir will revive”
Chinese Ambassador to Ankara Liu Shaobin stated that the Chinese New Year is a traditional holiday for China and said, “Everything will be brand new and there will be new beginnings. This year is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey. I think it is important that both countries act together to realize their dreams. Izmir, Turkey's third largest city, is at the forefront of Turkey in many fields, especially in industry and commerce. Izmir Metropolitan Municipality established an important line of cooperation by establishing sister city relations. The relations between China and Izmir, which have stopped during the pandemic process, will be revived even more,” he said.
Celebrated the new year of the Chinese people
İzmir Deputy Governor Hulusi Doğan said, “We are here today to celebrate the Chinese New Year with the honor of our Chinese Ambassador. I would like to thank our association president and members for this beautiful organization. Happy New Year to all Chinese people," he said. "We greet all our friends in an enthusiastic New Year," said Yağız Vang, President of Izmir Chinese Aid and Solidarity Association.
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