Government officials and cultural leaders from the Chinese city of Xiamen and the municipality of Chapala met on Friday, November 25 to sign a letter of intent for a twinning agreement between the two communities.
Xiamen, nicknamed the “Island of Herons,” is recognized as one of the principal economic zones in the People’s Republic of China and ranked the second most livable city in the country.
The meeting marked a milestone in Chapala’s international relations, laying the foundation for a fruitful collaboration in sharing experiences of public interest in both cities.
Chapala in particular stands to benefit from learning about public policies that turned Yundang Lake in Xiamen into a “Clean Water Oasis.” A twinning agreement promises significant benefits to improve Lake Chapala’s environmental health.
The Xiamen delegation was led by Xiamen’s deputy director of publicity Shangguan Jun, while Chapala Secretary General Lilia Alvarado Macias signed on behalf of Mayor Alejandro Aguirre.
These initial steps towards formalizing a fraternal relationship not only strengthen the ties between the two cities on opposite sides of the globe, but also represent a mutual commitment to a sustainable and prosperous future. Chapala authorities are planning to visit Xiamen to see first-hand how measures were taken to achieve the successful revitalization of Yundang Lake.