[Photo/Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism via WeChat]

Global tourists are welcome to visit Shanghai and enjoy its unique cosmopolitan charm, Gong Yi, director of the China Cultural Center in Brussels, extended the message at a tourism promotion event jointly held by the center and Hainan Airlines in Brussels on Jan 11.

Shanghai launched the "Visit Shanghai" campaign on Dec 11 to attract global tourists. In 2023, Shanghai welcomed an impressive 3.5 million inbound tourists, beating market expectations and emerging as the front-runner among major Chinese cities. Shanghai is working on establishing itself as a world-renowned tourist destination and the premier destination for inbound tourism in China.

On Jan 10, the day before the Brussels event, Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng met with Hadja Lahbib, the visiting Belgian foreign minister, in Shanghai. The year 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of friendship city relations between Shanghai and Belgian city, Antwerp. Gong expressed his hope of more people-to-people exchanges and mutual tourist visits between the two cities.

[Photo/Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism via WeChat]

At the event in Brussels, the China Cultural Center also introduced China's national tourism brand "Nihao! ('Hello' in Chinese) China". This branding initiative by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism features a logo with a cartoon panda, the letter "Nihao China", and a traditional seal bearing the Chinese characters "Hello, China".

A captivating video was presented at the event, showcasing the dynamic essence of Shanghai.

Participants at the event were also invited to see an ongoing art exhibition at the China Cultural Center, titled Visit Shanghai: Shanghai Through Artistic Eyes.

[Photo/Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism via WeChat]

The event attracted more than 110 representatives from more than 40 travel agencies and suppliers in Belgium and neighboring countries such as the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany and France, as well as local media. Gao Wei, the cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Belgium, also attended the event.

[Photo/Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism via WeChat]

A painting on display at the art exhibition titled Visit Shanghai: Shanghai Through Artistic Eyes. [Photo/Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism via WeChat]

A painting on display at the art exhibition titled Visit Shanghai: Shanghai Through Artistic Eyes. [Photo/Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism via WeChat]

A painting on display at the art exhibition titled Visit Shanghai: Shanghai Through Artistic Eyes. [Photo/Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism via WeChat]

A painting on display at the art exhibition titled Visit Shanghai: Shanghai Through Artistic Eyes. [Photo/Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism via WeChat]