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LIVERPOOL, June 29 (Xinhua) -- A delegation from China's city of eternal spring brought a huge helping of color and dance during rain showers in Liverpool Wednesday as part of the world's biggest business festival.
Vice Mayor Li Zhigong from Kunming in southwest China's Yunnan province is heading a 40-strong delegation to the International Business Festival taking place in Liverpool.
He told Xinhua: "We are here in Liverpool to discuss business opportunities, but also to let people know more about the tourism potential of our beautiful city."
"We are known as the city of eternal spring because of our year-round climate. Most people have heard of our big cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, now we want them to hear about Kunming and all it has to offer to tourists," said Li.
Musicians and dancers from Kunming Folk Song and Dance Theater are performing as part of a two-day exhibition of culture taking place in the heart of what is one of Europe's biggest shopping centers.
Thousands of shoppers braved occasional rain showers to watch the dance spectacular, while a range of cultural, business and artistic exhibits were in a specially designed marquee.
The exhibition is part of a business and cultural delegation to Liverpool from Kunming, aimed at boosting bilateral trade between the two cities.
The delegation is the largest of 25 from China attending the ongoing International Festival of Business (IFB) in Liverpool.
The performers from Kunming are regarded as cultural envoys, having performed in more than 40 countries worldwide before national leaders and foreign heads of state.
Kunming is known for its rich and diverse ethnic and cultural heritage and is at the heart of one of China's most important tourist areas.
The delegation is also holding a range of business activities and a civic reception at Liverpool Town Hall.
The delegation to Liverpool follows the signing of a Friendship Partnership Agreement between the two cities that will see them building on existing ties and working together to create a positive, mutually beneficial relationship.
The agreement is the result of dialogue between the Kunming Municipal Government and Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson in Chengdu in September 2015.
Vice Mayor Li said: "Our visit to Liverpool reflects our very positive relationship with the city and desire to create new business and cultural opportunities for companies, schools and artistic organisations both here and in Kunming."
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said: "Kunming is one of the most dynamic city regions in China and is regarded as a gateway to southwest China and the wider southeast Asia region."
"Alongside the opportunities to further our trade links with China, there is fantastic potential to share and explore each other's diverse cultural heritage, creating a rich, vibrant dialogue and positive exchange of ideas," Anderson said. Enditem
