Chongqing - From August 7 to 12, a delegation of young Go players from Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, visited Chongqing, China, at the invitation of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Chongqing Municipal People's Government. This event is part of the 2024 China-Japan Youth Exchange Memorandum, a national initiative.
From August 7 to 12, a delegation of young Go players from Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, visited Chongqing, China. (Photo/Foreign Affairs Office of the Chongqing Municipal People's Government)
The exchange officially kicked off on August 8, coinciding with National Fitness Day, at the Chongqing Chess Academy. The Japanese delegation included top young Go players such as Kojima Futoo, Japan's National High School Go Championship champion, and three former Shizuoka Prefecture High School Go Championship winners. Chongqing was represented by four talented young players: Zhang Yangyi, Chen Huangshu, Jiang Fangyi, and Wu Chenxi.
The event featured mixed doubles matches and a 4-on-4 team competition, where the young players from both regions immersed themselves in the world of black and white stones, forging friendships through the game of Go.
Beyond the competition, the Shizuoka delegation explored Chongqing's vibrant culture and history. On August 9 and 10, they visited Shizhu County to observe rural revitalization efforts and witness the transformation of the countryside. They toured the Lengshui Balong Bracken Workshop, China's largest producer of the aquatic vegetable bracken, a delicacy cherished in Japan for its health benefits. The workshop has made significant strides in international trade, securing over 10 million yuan(about $1.4 million) in export orders with Japanese companies in 2023, marking a milestone in the village's economic development.
The Shizuoka delegation toured the Lengshui Balong Bracken Workshop, China's largest producer of the aquatic vegetable bracken, a delicacy cherished in Japan for its health benefits. (Photo/Foreign Affairs Office of the Chongqing Municipal People's Government)
The delegation also visited the Chongqing Planning Exhibition Hall to gain insight into the city's comprehensive development and plans. They toured the site of the Chongqing Bombing Massacre to learn about the real history of China's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. They explored cultural landmarks like the Shibati Traditional Street, Danzishi Ancient Street, and the Chongqing Zoo to experience the rich heritage and dynamic energy of the "Mountainous City."
Shizuoka Prefecture, renowned as a hub of advanced manufacturing in Japan, also boasts a strong cultural and educational sector, having hosted the Shizuoka World Go Festival in the past. The ties between Chongqing and Shizuoka have grown increasingly close in recent years. In March 2024, Chongqing's People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, in collaboration with the Sichuan Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Wanzhou District Government, the Japanese Consulate General in Chongqing, and Shizuoka Prefecture, co-hosted the China (Sichuan·Chongqing) - Japan Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Exchange Conference. During the conference, experts from Sichuan, Chongqing, and Shizuoka shared their experiences and best practices in disaster prevention and public safety education.