Chongqing- At 7 pm on February 14, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Mexico, a lighting ceremony was held on the exterior of Chongqing Grand Theatre and the surrounding buildings, with ten screens of lights reflecting the main colors of the Mexican flag and traditional Mexican elements. The exterior of Chongqing World Financial Centre also featured the words "Celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and Mexico" in both Chinese and Spanish.

China and Mexico established diplomatic relations on February 14, 1972. This year marks the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between China and Mexico. To show the friendship between the two countries, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Mexican Embassy to China jointly initiated the lighting ceremony for 15 pairs of Chinese and Mexican sister-cities to celebrate the establishment of diplomatic relations at the same time on the same day.

The exterior of Chongqing Grand Theatre featured the words "Celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and Mexico". (iChongqing/ Wang Yiling)

Chongqing has always valued its friendly relations with Mexico. Chongqing established sister-city relations with the Mexican state of Nuevo León in 2013, and last year Chongqing Fengdu County and Guanajuato City also concluded sister-city relations. In recent years, exchanges and cooperation between the two sides have been strengthened in the fields of trade and commerce, manufacturing, culture, and education. The gorgeous light show was a congratulatory gift from Chongqing for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. 

Ten large screens by the river with the main colors of the Mexican flag and traditional Mexican elements. （iChongqing/ Wang Yiling）

Meanwhile, this is the first time Chinese cities and their sister cities have celebrated the anniversary of diplomatic relations with the lighting ceremony, covering hundreds of millions of people in both countries. Fifteen pairs of sister cities (provinces and states), including Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Chengdu, and Chongqing Fengdu County, lit up the main colors of the Mexican flag and Chinese red in their respective iconic buildings to jointly show the friendship between China and Mexico. This has shown the friendship between the Chinese and Mexican people over the past half-century.