On November 11, 2024, the 40th Anniversary of Hiroshima-Sichuan Sino-Japanese Provincial-level International Friendship  was grandly held at the Intercontinental Ballroom, Chengdu Century City New International Convention and Exhibition Center. To commemorate four decades of friendship between Hiroshima and Sichuan, the event brought together dignitaries and participants to celebrate this milestone. Invited by the Foreign Affairs Office of Sichuan Province, Li Qin, Deputy Party Secretary of the School of Foreign Languages, and Lv Zhaoxin, a faculty member of the Department of Japanese, led 25 students to take part in this significant event.

The commemorative meeting opened in a solemn and amicable atmosphere. Speeches were delivered by Ms. Shi Xiaolin, Governor of Sichuan Province; Mr. Xue Jian, Consul from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Japan; Mr. Hidehiko Yuzaki, Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture; and Ms. Mari Takashima, Consul of the Consulate-General of Japan in Chongqing. They reflected on the strong bond forged between Sichuan and Hiroshima since 1984, highlighting achievements in cultural, educational, and youth exchanges. The speakers expressed high regard for the fruitful collaborations between the two regions and shared their aspirations for deepening these partnerships in the future. During the session on educational cooperation and exchange, a video presentation showcased the collaborative projects between universities in Sichuan and Hiroshima. The video featured academic research initiatives, teacher-student exchange programs, and notable collaborations involving institutions such as Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU), earning rounds of applause from the audience.

Students and faculty from SWJTU’s Department of Japanese participated actively, embodying professionalism and enthusiasm throughout the event. Wearing formal attire, they demonstrated discipline, attentiveness, and respect, leaving a positive impression on all attendees.

Contributed by: Lv Zhaoxin