Sichuan Tourism University News Network （Correspondent:QiaoXing, Photographer: Chengdu Release）On 15 October, local time in Germany, Cao Lijun, member of the Standing Committee of the provincial CPC committee and secretary of the municipal CPC committee, headed a Chengdu delegation on an official visit to Germany.The trip was designed to act on key consensus reached by Chinese and German national leaders, follow guidance set by the provincial CPC committee and provincial government, deepen bilateral economic, trade and industrial ties, and boost subnational exchange and mutual learning. It also seeks to build a robust hub for westward opening-up and a new platform for global competition, while supporting national diplomatic priorities.Huang Xia, president of the Sino-German Association for Science, Technology and Education Exchange and distinguished research fellow at the Sichuan Cuisine Development Research Center of SCTU, attended the 2025 China (Chengdu)–Berlin Economic and Trade Cooperation Matchmaking Conference. Alongside officials and guests from all sides, she witnessed the rollout of a joint initiative between Sichuan Tourism University’s 'Chinese Sichuan Cuisine Academy' and Germany’s Aikete Education Group.The partnership delivers tangible collaboration in cultural tourism and represents a shared drive to deepen friendly bilateral ties.

In his address, Cao Lijun, member of the Standing Committee of the provincial CPC committee and secretary of the municipal CPC committee, noted that President Xi Jinping and Chancellor Friedrich Merz struck important consensus on opening a new chapter in the comprehensive strategic partnership and steering China-EU ties toward fresh progress. This has offered clear guidance for the sound growth of China-Germany relations in the new era.Built on long-standing friendly bilateral ties, economic and trade exchanges between Chengdu and regions across Germany have grown closer and borne fruitful results. Multiple national strategies, including the Western Development Initiative and the development of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, intersect and reinforce one another in Chengdu.The city is advancing its development as western China’s economic hub, center for sci-tech innovation and international exchange, alongside a national base for advanced manufacturing. This creates vast space and abundant commercial prospects for outstanding German enterprises and innovative teams to invest and expand in Chengdu.Chengdu aims to deepen exchanges and cooperation with German cities, boosting industrial and economic collaboration covering sci-tech innovation, equipment manufacturing, the low-altitude economy, aviation logistics, advanced energy, education, healthcare and cultural tourism. Both sides will expand bilateral engagement across wider scope, deeper cooperation and higher standards, drawing on complementary industrial advantages to deliver mutually beneficial growth.The city also looks to deepen people-to-people links and cultural tourism cooperation with German counterparts. It welcomes more German visitors to explore Chengdu, experience the unique charm of 'Park City, Happy Chengdu', and witness the dynamic vitality of China’s modernization drive.

The joint launch of SCTU’s German branch of the 'Chinese Sichuan Cuisine Academy' represents a meaningful milestone in developing innovative overseas training pathways and expanding global sharing of Sichuan’s culinary heritage.Building on this milestone, the academy will continue to showcase Sichuan’s unique culture, foster people-to-people exchanges between China and Germany and strengthen integrated cultural and tourism cooperation across both nations.