Chongqing - "Overpasses spiral overhead, and rail transit runs right through buildings," said Cho Thet Tun, General Manager of the Chinese-language Myanmar Sin Chew Daily, with a smile. Although it was her first time in Chongqing, the city felt strangely familiar. "From the moment the plane touched down, I felt like I had stepped into an 8D magic metropolis."

On April 15, the 2026 joint visit for overseas Chinese media and community leaders to southeast Chongqing, themed "Touring China, Discovering Chongqing through Overseas Chinese Eyes," officially commenced. Liang shared her first impressions of the city at the launch event.

"Chongqing hotpot has carved out its own niche in Myanmar's food scene. It's popular not only among ethnic Chinese but also with many locals," Liang noted. She added that with the resumption of the direct Chongqing-Yangon flight route at the end of last year, compatriots in both cities can now "enjoy milk tea in Yangon in the morning and savor hotpot in Chongqing in the afternoon."

In her view, this air route serves as an "aerial Silk Road," connecting the natural wonder of Wulong's Three Natural Bridges and the border-town charm of Xiushan on one end with Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda, the sunrise over Bagan, and the Irrawaddy River on the other.

The visit has attracted over 30 overseas Chinese media outlets and more than 10 community leaders. Over the next week, representatives will delve into Wulong District, Youyang County, and Xiushan County of Chongqing to unearth "Chongqing stories." They will focus on the majestic Wuling Mountains, the profound Bayu culture, rural development in ethnic regions, and the lives of local residents, aiming to tell vibrant stories of ethnic unity and progress.

The Three Natural Bridges in Wulong District, Chongqing.

Wesley Chua, Executive Editor-in-Chief of the Philippines' Chinese Commercial News, has visited Chongqing twice before, leaving him with profound and fond memories. He expressed great anticipation for the upcoming in-depth tour, stating that initiatives like the "Youyang 800" regional public brand and the innovative preservation at Xiushan's intangible cultural heritage workshops will showcase the region's explorations and breakthroughs in high-quality development.

Youyang Taohuayuan Scenic Area, Chongqing. (Photo/Youyang County)

Rémon Chen, President of Canada's Soluo Media, said his team would seek out personal stories and authentic scenes, transforming them into content that is engaging, relatable, and shareable for international audiences. Through grounded, localized storytelling, they aim to present a real, warm, textured, and culturally rich Chongqing and China to the world.

Leo Peng, Secretary-General of the Entrepreneurs Committee at the Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver, Canada, expressed hope to study the development strategies and industrial directions of southeast Chongqing during the visit. He aims to leverage the bridging role of overseas Chinese communities and media, combining international communication reach and market insights with Chongqing's needs in global exchange and cooperation.

Meng Weihong, Secretary of the Leading Party Members' Group and Chairperson of the Chongqing Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, stated that the itinerary was carefully designed to invite guests to experience southeast Chongqing and perceive the new dynamism of the city. She hopes that through the lenses and pens of the participants, the unique charm of the region will be showcased comprehensively, from multiple angles and in depth, further solidifying a two-way communication bridge between Chongqing and the world, and pooling the wisdom and strength of overseas Chinese communities for the construction of a modern new Chongqing.

At the launch ceremony, Hugo Wu, President of Argentina's Huaren Online, read out a joint initiative on behalf of the participating overseas Chinese media. The initiative pledges to unite and synergize efforts, gathering high-quality resources at home and abroad for the development of a modern new Chongqing, and contributing the wisdom and strength of overseas Chinese media to foster mutual understanding between China and the world and build a community with a shared future for mankind.