Organized by Dongguan Municipal Government, a Dongguan-themed photography 
exhibition is being held in Oriental Paris, France from Dec 9-16, a move to 
showcase its globally-linked manufacturing industry and diverse urban culture. 
By displaying over 70 riveting photos by Chinese and foreign photographers, the 
southern Chinese city is presenting the beauty of itself and its manufacturing 
to the world and expressing how it stands open and embraces the globe.

The event's opening ceremony saw the attendance of more than 100 people, 
including representatives from the French arts and culture communities, the 
Chinese Embassy in France, and Chinese enterprises, as well as the media. Sun 
Yuming, minister counselor for Science and Technology at the Chinese Embassy in 
France, Li Cuiqing, executive vice director-general of the Publicity Department 
of the CPC Dongguan Municipal Committee, and Pascal Roussel, director of the 
cultural heritage department of the Ecole Normale Superieure addressed the 
event.

"I have been to China many times and witnessed investment and economy growing 
in Guangdong and China. Dongguan boasts a prime geographical location as it is 
at the heart of the urban cluster that comprises Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou 
and Shenzhen and can be reached by water and land. I believe it will emerge as 
a more international city by continuing to benefit from the vibrant 
Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area," said Pascal Roussel.

As a matter of fact, Dongguan has a time-honored friendship with France. In 
1904, French photographer Earnest traveled to Dongguan's Keyuan Garden and 
delicately made a postcard out of a photo he had taken during the tour, which 
was addressed to his friend in France, saying "this is the most beautiful photo 
I've ever taken in China." It has been the oldest photo of Dongguan taken by a 
foreigner.

Since the implementation of China's reform and opening up policy, dialogues and 
exchanges between Dongguan and France and beyond have been forged through 
manufacturing.

"Openness is deeply rooted in the growth of Dongguan. As the earliest starter 
of reform and opening up with a most dynamic, open economy, Dongguan has been 
in close business cooperation with over 200 countries and regions. With a 
strong manufacturing sector, it is now a part of global economic cooperation 
and delivers opportunities for the East to meet the West," Li addressed at the 
opening.

Pascal Roussel believed that while Dongguan had already caught the attention of 
the world by hosting Guangdong 21st Century Maritime Silk Road International 
Expo, the photo exhibition offered France an opportunity to have a glimpse of a 
more open Dongguan.

The event is designed to completely unveil the charm of the city by focusing on 
three dimensions -- "Bay Area Metropolis, Quality Dongguan", "Art of 
Manufacturing", and "Connection to the World". Also displayed at the site are 
Dongguan's intangible cultural heritage items, including Guanxiang, the 
Xinchang Drum, and the Kylin.

Source: The Dongguan Municipal Government