An opening ceremony for a garden by Jinan's international sister-city Vantaa, Finland, was held on May 9 in Jinan, Shandong province.

The design of the 500-square-meter garden was inspired by several parks in Finland, including the Tikkurila Library Park.

The garden is a reflection of the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, a philosophy that is a way of life in Finland.

A sculpture made up of three ribbons symbolizes the close ties and deep friendship between Jinan and Vantaa, and represents the flowing river Vantaa and the Yellow River in China.

Jinan and Vantaa became sister cities in 2001 and have since cooperated in various fields, including trade, tourism, and education.

In 2021, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the sister-city relationship, Jinan proposed the building of the sister-city garden.

Jinan currently has eight international sister-city gardens. Seven more are under construction.

Yang Li (left), vice-mayor of Jinan, and Leena-Kaisa Mikkola (right), Finnish ambassador to China, cut ribbons at the opening ceremony for Jinan international sister-city garden of Vantaa, Finland on May 9. [Photo/Jinan Foreign Affairs]