Yunnan and Bali Launch Third Phase of 'Yunnan Hand in Hand' Cooperation Programme
Kunming (ANTARA) - Yunnan Province in China and Bali Province officially commenced the third phase of their agricultural and ecological tourism cooperation pilot project on 12 August.
Building on the achievements of the two previous phases of cooperation in organic agriculture and eco-tourism, the new phase further expands cooperation into the green energy sector through the installation of 27 sets of solar-powered street lights and the establishment of an additional 10-hectare organic rice demonstration area. This advances the integrated development of agriculture, eco-tourism and green energy, while marking a new breakthrough in environmentally friendly cooperation between Yunnan and Bali.
Yunnan Province and Bali officially began sister-region cooperation in 2003. Over the past two decades, both parties have carried out extensive and in-depth exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, tourism, agriculture and various other areas, strengthening a deep and enduring friendship.
Vice President of the Yunnan Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Wang Yu stated in his speech that since its launch in Bali in 2024, the ‘Yunnan Hand in Hand’ Programme has delivered cooperation in organic agriculture and eco-tourism, translating the sister-city friendship into tangible benefits for local communities.
Going forward, Yunnan will continue to leverage the long-established bonds of friendship and build more platforms for people-to-people exchanges, practical cooperation, cultural interaction and youth communication to benefit more communities in the two regions.
A speech delivered by Regional Secretary of Bali Province Dewa Made Indra revealed that the Bali provincial government fully supports the pilot project, which is highly aligned with Bali’s goals of sustainable development, environmental protection and welfare improvement.
By integrating agriculture, ecological conservation, tourism and community development, the project will increase agricultural added value and create more development opportunities for local farmers, rural communities, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The Head of Senganan Village revealed that over the past three years, local villagers have gained professional knowledge in organic agriculture, environmental governance, green energy application and sustainable rural development through the project. The initiative has not only optimised agricultural production and the rural ecological environment, but also boosted villagers’ confidence in rural revitalisation efforts.
At the launch ceremony, the Yunnan Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Indonesia-China Friendship Association Bali Branch signed a cooperation agreement to further expand platforms and channels for bilateral friendship exchanges and pragmatic cooperation.
From organic agriculture and eco-tourism to green energy innovation, the ‘Yunnan Hand in Hand’ Programme has become a vital bridge for deepening bilateral friendship and connecting the hearts of the people. Both parties agreed to take the launch and the signing of the agreement as a new starting point, further expanding cooperation in agriculture, eco-tourism, green energy, culture and education, and realising more mutually beneficial outcomes between Yunnan and Bali.