On August 24, the Launching Ceremony of "Shenzhen Meets Toronto" Friendship City Photo Exhibition and the Shenzhen-Canada Innovation Cooperation Conference, jointly hosted by Shenzhen Foreign Affairs Office, Toronto Economic Development and Culture Division and Longhua District Government, was held in China Printmaking Museum in Longhua District, Shenzhen, to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the friendship city relationship between Shenzhen and Toronto.

Yao Ren, Deputy Secretary General of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, attended the event and delivered a speech. Deputy Secretary General Yao Ren said that in the past five years, Shenzhen and Toronto have developed fruitful and practical cooperation in economy and trade, information technology, cultural exchanges and education. Shenzhen is willing to further deepen the friendship city relationship with Toronto and make new and greater contributions to promote economic development, social progress and livelihood improvement of both cities. Denzil Minnan-Wong, the Deputy Mayor of City of Toronto, Han Tao, Chinese Consul General in Toronto, Reza Moridi, former Minister of Research and Innovation and Science, Mr. Song Yijun, representative of the Ontario Provincial Government of Canada and Commercial Counselor of the Canadian Embassy in China, Cheryl Blackman, Director of the City of Toronto's Economic Development and Culture Division sent special video messages, commenting highly of the achievements of cooperation between Shenzhen and Toronto, and expecting the friendship city relationship to reach new heights.

At the Cooperation Conference, Cao Saixian, Director General of Shenzhen Foreign Affairs Office, introduced to the guests the latest economic and social development of Shenzhen and the city's foreign investment and enterprises service policies. Toronto Economic Development and Culture Division and Longhua District Government made presentations. Representatives and heads of over ten business associations, renowned IT, equipment manufacturing, service and trade organizations from Shenzhen and Canada shared their development experience. Attendees said that the conference have provided a platform for mutual communication and development between enterprises and institutions in Shenzhen and Canada, further boosting the faith of enterprises in taking roots in Shenzhen.

"Shenzhen Meets Toronto" Friendship City Photo Exhibition showcases classic sceneries , technological innovation cooperation & exchanges, and regional cultures & arts of the two cities. During the visit to the photo exhibition, Jenny Qi, Chair of CCSA and Chair of the SCI Innovation Centre introduced the 5-year establishment of the Shenzhen-Toronto Friendship City and the achievements made by CCSA and SCI Innovation Centre for the two cities in the areas of technology, economy, trade, culture, medical care, and charity. Deputy Secretary-General Yao Ren expressed his appreciation and affirmation for the contribution and called Jenny Qi the diplomatic ambassador for the people.

In addition to the amazing photo exhibition, other cultural interactive activities including magic show, calligraphy demonstration, musical performance, printmaking, Chinese traditional dance were organized. Nearly 200 guests participated in this event including Matthew Pal, Commercial Consul of Canada in Guangzhou, Michel Constantin, Director of the Quebec Government Office in Shanghai, other Canadian officials in China, leaders and representatives of well-known enterprises and business associations in Shenzhen and Canada, as well as nearly 100 Canadian citizens and Shenzhen residents living in Shenzhen.