On the morning of January 27, the fourth session of the 14th Hubei Provincial People’s Congress officially commenced. In a move highlighting the province’s commitment to transparency and high-level opening-up, a distinguished group of international guests was invited to observe the opening ceremony and attend the subsequent New YearReception.

The guest list featured a significant diplomatic presence, including the Consuls General of France, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Korea, and Russia in Wuhan. They were joined by officials from the Hong Kong and Macao SAR government offices, foreign business leaders, senior executives from multinational corporations, and renowned international scholars residing in Hubei.

For many attendees, the session served as a vital window into China’s governance. Mostak Ahamed Galib, a scholar from Bangladesh, noted that the consistent implementation of Five-Year Plans is a “key” to understanding Chinese-style modernization.

Dmitry Zhavorin, the Russian Consul General in Wuhan, praised Hubei’s “extraordinary achievements” during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, particularly over the past year. Meanwhile, British Consul General Dominic McAllister expressed his admiration for the province’s momentum in technological innovation, noting that the UK and Hubei are deepening cooperation in R&D to drive future growth.

Following the formal session, the Foreign Affairs Office of Hubei Provincial People’s Government hosted a vibrant New Year Reception.

Director Zhang Xiaomei welcomed the guests, expressing gratitude to the international community and compatriots from Hong Kong and Macao for their contributions to Hubei’s development. She emphasized that Hubei is actively integrating into the global economic cycle through high-level openness. She also invited international friends to experience the “steaming vitality” of Jingchu culture through tourism and professional collaboration.

The event concluded on a cultural high note. Guests participated in a traditional Intangible Cultural Heritage workshop, creating Year of the Horse rubbings for calendars. This hands-on experience allowed diplomats and executives alike to immerse themselves in the unique aesthetic and rhythmic charm of Chinese traditional culture as they ushered in the new lunar year.