Over 300 guests, including key officials and community leaders, attend the annual reception. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_c530128dd9e8]

The 8th Baden-Württemberg-China Chinese New Year Reception took place at the Mannheim Baroque Palace on Feb 6, organized by the Chinese Consulate General in Frankfurt and the Mannheim City Government. Over 300 guests attended, including Huang Yiyang, Chinese consul general in Frankfurt, Mannheim Mayor Christian Specht, and Chairman Felix Kurz of the Rhein-Neckar Metropolitan Region Germany-China Friendship Association. The event was attended by political, economic, media, and cultural figures, along with Chinese expatriates, students, and Chinese enterprise representatives.

Consul General Huang Yiyang highlighted the growth of the sister city relationship between Mannheim and Qingdao, calling it a model for China-Germany local exchanges. Mayor Christian Specht emphasized Mannheim's strong ties with China and its active role in city diplomacy, noting its frequent interactions with Qingdao.

A special highlight of the event was a video performance by the Qingdao TV Xiaobaifan Art Troupe, which has already performed in Mannheim five times. The video received a warm response, delivering a heartfelt greeting to both cities.

A Qingdao corner showcases brochures, paper cuttings, and Spring Festival couplets, offering cultural insight to guests. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_c530128dd9e8]

A Qingdao-themed corner was also set up, showcasing German-language promotional materials related to Qingdao, including city brochures, traditional paper cuttings, and Spring Festival couplets. The display was well-received, offering guests deeper insight into Qingdao's culture and global image.