Zhang Tong (R), mayor of Nantong, meets with Shuichi Akamatsu, consul general of Japan in Shanghai, on Dec 16. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Zhang Tong, mayor of Nantong, Jiangsu province, met with Shuichi Akamatsu, consul general of Japan in Shanghai, on Dec 16 to deepen pragmatic cooperation and promote friendly exchanges.

Zhang welcomed Akamatsu and his delegation on behalf of local authorities. She stated that China and Japan are close neighbors and that Nantong and Japan have a very strong relationship. Nantong is currently working to accelerate its development into a modern industrial city, a national innovative city, a modern marine city with Jianghai characteristics, and a comprehensive national transportation hub, striving to become an important growth driver for high-quality development in the northern area of the Yangtze River Delta.

She looks forward to both sides continuing to deepen cooperation in industrial innovation, achieving more practical cooperation results in marine-related industries such as marine equipment, advanced materials, and new energy, productive service industries such as shipping logistics and marine information technology, and lifestyle service industries such as medical care and elderly care.

The mayor also expects enhanced cultural exchanges and a growing number of sister cities in Japan. She stated that Nantong will continue to optimize its business environment, provide efficient services for enterprises, make good use of relevant national policies, and attract more people.

Akamatsu congratulated Nantong on its achievements in economic and social development and thanked the city for its support for Japanese-funded enterprises and Japanese nationals.

He mentioned that Nantong has a developed transportation system, convenient living conditions, and a good business environment, making it very suitable for investment and entrepreneurship.

The current visa-free policy makes it easier for Japanese citizens to visit Nantong, and he looks forward to further exchanges and deeper and broader economic, trade, and cultural exchanges, including more flights, exchanges among young people, and the establishment of more international schools.