A delegation from Hamburg visited Shanghai on April 15 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the friendship city relationship between Shanghai and Hamburg.

At the German School Shanghai, students from Hamburg and their Chinese peers learned to make traditional dishes such as Chinese dumplings and German apple strudel as part of a culinary exchange.

Franko Micheli, principal of the German School Shanghai, highlighted the exchange event's significance, noting that it builds real connections between people and cultures.

Lou, a 10-year-old German student, said she likes Chinese food, especially scrambled eggs with tomatoes. Although she felt the dumplings she made were not very pretty, she found the experience enjoyable.

Laurens, another student, enthusiastically shared his love for xiaolongbao and dumplings.

Carola Veit, president of the Hamburg Parliament, who led the delegation, emphasized the importance of mutual support and cooperation in today's global environment, citing the successful interactions between Hamburg and Chinese enterprises as a model for bilateral collaboration rooted in long-term trust and respect.

She stated that partnerships require long-term commitment, not just one-off visits.

Speaking about the younger generation, Veit acknowledged that while today's youth face increasingly diverse and complex challenges, they also have access to a broader range of tools and opportunities. She highlighted the role of social media platforms in helping them find direction and build closer relationships.

Veit also noted that Shanghai and Hamburg have maintained good relations, with economic and trade ties and two-way investment continuing to deepen despite the significant difference in their size.

She said Shanghai's investment in the Port of Hamburg is of great significance to Europe, and that the two sides are exploring new development paths and deepening cooperation in information technology and other sectors to achieve mutual benefit in a changing global landscape.

Source: Shanghai Observer