To showcase the rich history of friendly exchanges between Jinan and its international sister cities, witness the fruitful outcomes of their sisterhood, and promote the longstanding traditional friendship between the two cities, Jinan City conducted a "Stories in the City of Springs in the New Era" series video screening and exchange event in Murcia, Spain, on December 21. Students from countries including Spain, France, Italy, Russia, India, and Kazakhstan participated in this screening event.

During the event, Juan De Dios Crespo Pérez, a teacher from Spain, briefly introduced the profound cultural heritage and historical stories of Jinan, the ancient cultural capital. Chinese students and their counterparts from Spain, Italy, and other countries collectively appreciated multilingual stories about the springs and engaged in face-to-face exchanges. They perceived the charm of the City of a Thousand Springs. The hearts of young people from sister cities quickly drew closer, closely connected through the series of videos.

Juan De Dios Crespo Pérez expressed high praise for the "Stories by the Springs" video series after watching short films like "The Ideal City," "Joy from Afar," and "Austrian Barista and Chinese Tea." He commented that for content dissemination, video storytelling is universally appreciated by audiences worldwide, transcending language barriers. The three stories, narrated in the first person by foreign protagonists living and working in Jinan, effectively express their authentic experiences. He emphasized that to promote Jinan and even Chinese culture, it is essential not only to "go out" but also to "bring in." The key lies in creating resonant stories that make the audience genuinely want to know and understand Jinan.

Saeed Ali Khan from India stated that watching the story of the Indian Ph.D. student, Lodi, settling and persisting in scientific research in Jinan in "Stories by the Springs: Joy from Afar" helped him better understand the city of Jinan even in distant Spain. He felt the "foreigner-friendliness" of Jinan and believed that humanistic narratives have always fascinated him in Chinese stories. Despite cultural differences, increasing the frequency of communication and trying to view things from each other's perspectives are essential for deepening mutual understanding. He expressed hope to visit Jinan for exchange and study in the future.

Since the beginning of this year, Jinan City's delegation has left footprints across the three continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa, visiting countries such as South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, and Ethiopia, further expanding the international circle of friends for the City of Springs. In the future, Jinan will embrace the world with an open mind, stepping onto a broader international stage, and continuously reaping cooperation, friendship, and excitement.

（Li Xiaotong; Liu Xiaohan; Hua Shan; Yuan Yuhua; Hou Yawen; Lou Xinyu; Liang Ruixin; Wang Jianle; Chen Shuning; Chong Yaqi）