2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Germany diplomatic relations. To further strengthen the cultural exchanges and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between Zhongshan and Germany, Zhongshan Foreign Affairs Bureau together with Zhongshan Culture, Radio, TV and Tourism Bureau and Consulate-General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Guangzhou hold the "Going into Europe - 2022 Zhongshan-Germany Cultural Festival" in Zhongshan.

Ouyang Jinquan, Vice Mayor of the Zhongshan Municipal People's Government and Jan Rudolph, Consul General of Germany in Guangzhou addressed the opening ceremony, expressing hopes for the two sides to continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in economy, trade, culture and other fields.

Since August, the Festival has delivered public cultural lectures on German paintings, architecture, music and children’s books for family readers at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Library.

On November 1, "Creative Bach: Zhongshan-German Music Night 2022 (Online)" brought unique music enjoyment and presented a cultural feast with international elements by innovatively combining the traditional performance and contemporary interpretation of classical music.

From November 1 to 15, "China Story · German Story" Photography Exhibition is held at Fangcheng Hall of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Library, displaying 60 photos provided by the German National Tourist Board, and Zhang Zhan, a local photographer from Zhongshan and a guest photographer for the China National Geography (magazine). It shows Zhongshan people the places of historical interest, natural scenery and folk customs of China and Germany.

To date, the festival has attracted nearly 55,000 participants.

With a solid industrial foundation and profound cultural deposits, Germany is the largest economy in Europe and a pillar for the EU. In 2021, Zhongshan reported an import and export trade volume of 44.25 billion yuan with the EU, up more than 24% from 2020. Zhongshan's existing enterprises with direct investment from Germany cover such fields as equipment manufacturing, technical services and wholesale & retail. In 2018, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier once visited Zhongshan during his trip to China. 

The Festival will promote the ties between Zhongshan and Germany in various fields.