Chengdu, the capital city of Southwest China's Sichuan province, expects more cultural and economic exchanges with Latin American countries amid the strengthening ties between China and the region.

"China and Latin America enjoy a long history of cooperation, which dates back to the late 16th century. China is willing to continue to be a good friend and partner of Latin American countries and promote mutual cooperation," said President Xi Jinping during his recent visit to Latin America.

"As one of the fastest-growing and most famous historic and cultural cities in China, Chengdu already has cultural and economic exchanges with Latin American countries, and the exchanges will be strengthened," said local officials in Chengdu.

Argentine dancers perform the Broadway musical classic Forever Tango for an audience in Chengdu in 2011. Zhu Dayong / For China Daily

Chengdu's open and fast-developing economy is expected to offer cooperation opportunities for businesses from Latin America, according to the region's diplomats in China. Provided to China Daily

The city is known to the world for its giant pandas, leisure lifestyle and spicy cuisine. Another beloved feature, however, is the local people's willingness to accept different cultures.

For instance, tango, one of Argentina's most celebrated national treasures that was used to welcome President Xi this month, is very much loved by people in Chengdu.

The city has received visits from Argentine tango performers and troupes since 2006.

In 2011, the Broadway musical classic Forever Tango brought authentic Argentine tango to the city for the first stop of the show's Asian tour. The show featured Argentina's best-known tango dancer Mora Godoy.

In the same year, Chengdu opened its first tango club following the likes of Beijing and Shanghai. Since then the dance has been a hit in Chengdu. Every weekend people gather in venues across the city to tango stress away, and parents send their children to tango classes.

"Chengdu has been active in international cultural and art exchanges. Locals are among the most passionate in China to promote tango," said Xu Xuanyi, president of Chinese Association of Argentine Tango.

Chengdu influence

Chengdu is also exerting influence on Latin American countries with its unique culture.

Marcello Mameiro da Silva, a Brazilian football player who played in Sichuan from 1995 to 2003, told Chinese reporters during the Brazil FIFA World Cup that he missed the region's cuisine when he returned to Brazil.

"He was a little afraid of spicy food when he was in Sichuan, but now he occasionally makes some Sichuan cuisine by himself, including the spicy dishes," said his wife.

Cesar Mayoral, former Argentine ambassador to China, was also a big fan of Sichuan cuisine.

"My wife and I love Sichuan cuisine very much, especially the spicy feeling it gives us," said Mayoral during his visit to Chengdu two years ago.

"Sichuan cuisine and Sichuan-style hotpot are among the favorite Chinese foods of Brazilian people. Although many ingredients essential to Sichuan cuisine are hard to find, local people enjoy the dishes made with substitute materials common in Brazil," said a Chinese chef who worked in Brazil for several years.

A picture of hibiscus, Chengdu's city flower, was displayed in Venezuela's national gallery from October 2013 to January this year, as a themed poster for the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Venezuela.

"The gorgeous hibiscus flowers not only show the enthusiasm and passion of Chengdu, but also mark the mutual exchanges between our two nations," said a Chengdu official.

International links and rapid growth have boosted Chengdu's economic ties with Latin America.

Business ties

The city held the fourth China-Latin America Business Summit in October 2010. The event saw 400 entrepreneurs from 34 Latin American countries and more than 600 Chinese entrepreneurs from more than 20 provinces, promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

In September last year, the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association led a delegation of Brazilian companies to explore the market in Chengdu, one of China's most important footwear manufacturing regions.

The delegation members formed partnerships in Chengdu, and shoes "made in Brazil" have entered the local market.

"Aided by policies such as the 72-hour visa-free scheme, we will target the global market by joining hands with Chengdu in the footwear industry," said an association official.

Chengdu was the first city in western China to adopt the 72-hour visa-free policy. The scheme, which took effect last September, allows citizens from 51 countries to spend three days in Chengdu if they have valid visas and onward flight tickets to a third country. Latin America's Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Chile are covered by the policy.

"Chengdu is a highly opened and fast-developing city. We look forward to substantial cooperation with Chengdu on the basis we have achieved together," said Alfredo Carlos Bascou, a diplomat at Argentina's embassy in China.

Contact the writers through liyu@chinadaily.com.cn