Chongqing- "I have been living in Chongqing for ten years," said Pablo Giustetto, an Argentinean Spanish Professor working at Southwest University. "I would like to continue to stay here and be a bridge of communication and connection between Chongqing and Latin America."

Giustetto mentioned that Chongqing and Córdoba established sister-city relations in May 2010. Córdoba is a province in central Argentina, neighboring Catamarca and Santiago del Estero to the north, La Pampa to the south, Buenos Aires to the southeast, and San Luis and La Rioja to the west.

"Some trade agreements were made a long time ago between these two cities and are still in force today and continue to be used," said Giustetto. "So that cooperation and growth are jointly built by both sides."

Enhancing economic and trade exchanges with major Latin American countries, data shows that last year, the overall import and export volume of bilateral trade between Chongqing and Colombia, Peru, Panama, Mexico, and other countries was 640.82 million U.S. dollars, 716.00 million U.S. dollars, 221.91 million U.S. dollars, and 1988.31 million U.S. dollars respectively, with a year-on-year increase of 68.47%, 97.46%, 5.32%, and 30.38% respectively.

The growth of overall import and export volume of bilateral trade between Chongqing and Latin American countries. (iChongqing/ Vivian Yan)

"When I think about Chongqing's development becoming a more international city," said Matthew Borengasser, Primary EAL Leader at YCIS Chongqing. "I often think about my students being able to experience the world, not only when they come into our classrooms, but also when they're outside in the city."

The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between China and Mexico. Based on two themes of "Chinese New Year" and "ice and snow," the Happy Chinese New Year 2022 Event in Mexico covers a series of cultural activities such as online performances, online exhibitions, and quiz, and packages of Chinese New Year culture are sent to Mexicans who love Chinese culture.

As a part of the event, the online ballet The Night, performed by Chongqing Ballet Theater, was broadcasted on Mexico State TV as a part of the Happy Chinese New Year 2022 Event in Mexico and reached more than 70,000 people. The Night is an original ballet created by Chongqing Ballet Theater, which combines the art of ballet and the night view of Chongqing, which is full of light, color, and shadow.

The Nutcracker is an immersive ballet created by Chongqing Ballet Theater and the OCT Happy Valley scenic area. (Photo/ Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development)

Borengasser continued, "I think that as the city grows, we will get there."