International Exchanges

Since it began reform and opening up to the world, Dongguan has been increasing exchange with foreign countries in the fields of culture, education, sports, tourism, technology, economics and trade. Since 1978, more than 100 countries and regions have had extensive exchanges with Dongguan. International communication increasingly makes Dongguan prominent in the world, helping fulfill the goal of connecting Dongguan to the world and helping the world discover Dongguan.

Noticeably, a substantial number of foreign dignitaries have paid visits to Dongguan since reform and opening up began. These include King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia, President El Hadj Omar Bongo of Gabon, President Kenneth David Kaunda of Zambia, President Pascal Lissouba of Congo, President Fidel Castro of Cuba, President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea, President Runaldo Venetiaan of Suriname, King Taufa'ahau Topou IV of Tonga, Prime Minister Ham Lini of the Republic of Vanuatu, and President Ahmed Aabdallah Sambi of the Union of Comoros.

Dongguan advocates a strategy of reaching out by opening communication channels in an innovative manner in order to optimise an international collaboration framework. To that end, Dongguan has nurtured solid ties with her international sister-city, Hartford, Connecticut, USA, which signed a sister-city agreement with Dongguan in February 2001. With sister-city Thessaloniki, Greece, an agreement was approved by the City Council of Thessaloniki and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in November 2004 and May 2005 respectively. In addition, Dongguan has established friendships with Pretoria (Tshwane), the capital of South Africa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, and Daejon and Hwaseong in the Republic of Korea.

An Excellent Tourist Destination

Nanshe Ancient Village.[GAGOC]

Dongguan is an excellent tourist city in China with many places of interest and numerous tourist attractions. Dongguan is well-known for the Opium-War Memorial Museum, which is a AAAA-rated national tourist site and the Keyuan Garden - one of the Guangdong's four famous gardens. Other sites include Nanshe Ancient Village - a listed historical and cultural village in China, the Site of the Dalingshan Anti-Aggression Base, the Residence of Jiang Guangnai, and the West Gate Tower. Also of great interest to tourists are new scenic spots including Yuan Chonghuan Memorial Park, Yuehui Garden, South China Mall, Guanyin Mountain National Forest Park, Central Square, Dongguan Exibition Centre, Dongguan Science and Technology Museum, Yulan Theatre, Kingway Beer Museum, and the Weimei Ceramics Museum. Additionally, there are five annual national level convention fairs and ninety-six star-rated hotels in Dongguan, of which twenty are five star-rated.

Interconnected Transportation Network

Dongguan has an interconnected transportation network. It has one of China's highest road densities with total road mileage of 3,923.9 kilometres within the territory. By the end of 2007 there was an average of 159.18 kilometres of class roads per hundred square kilometres. The transport network features a trans-city expressway and city highway making a "One-Hour Living Circle". Dongguan is now firmly integrated into the Guangzhou-Shenzhen metropolitan area.

An efficient comprehensive logistics network has been set up in Dongguan making it easy to export goods overseas. Dongguan was among the first cities in China to adopt the model of non-attended customs clearance upon verification. Additionally, with proximity to international airports in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, and as the meeting point of the Guangzhou-Kowloon, Guangzhou-Shenzhen, Guangzhou-Meizhou-Shantou, and Beijing-Kowloon railways, and the national Grade A Humen Port and Dongguan Railway Station (Changping), a multi-dimensional transportation network by road, air and sea has formed. All kinds of goods can be quickly shipped worldwide.

A Harmonious New City

In recent years, Dongguan has won many accolades including: "National Civilisation City", "National Sanitation City", "National Model Green City", "The Most Charming City in China", "The Most Vibrant City in China", "Top 10 Most Competitive City in China", "Top 100 City for a Favourable Investment Environment", "National Garden City", "International Award for Livable Communities", "National Basketball City", "National Excellence for Innovation", "The Most Valuable Newly-emerged Finance-friendly City in China", and "Excellence for Comprehensive Public Security Management in Guangdong". In addition, Dongguan was named the "Model City in Scientific Progess in China" for five consecutive years and "The Model City for Solidarity between the Army, Government and the People" for six consecutive years. Dongguan ranks number one for disposable income per capita in China, number one for comprehensive competitiveness in Guangdong Province, number one for living and service quality, and number two for its overall appraisal in scientific development. In the future, Dongguan will adhere to the ideological guideline of emancipating the mind, continuing reform and opening up, and making great efforts in taking the lead in implementing a scientific outlook on development. This new round of mental emancipation will push forward economic and social transformation, and build a prosperous and harmonious new Dongguan.

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