Tianjin commemorates its 620th anniversary

Foreign celebrities, entrepreneurs and overseas students will participate in a unique event in the coastal city of Tianjin on Monday to commemorate its 620th anniversary.

Tianjin is widely recognized as the only city in China with an exact founding date — Dec 23, 1404 — making it the sole Chinese city that marks its establishment, according to Xu Fengwen, a distinguished Tianjin historian and the author of Tianjin: The Biography.

"Emperor Yongle (1360-1424) of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) designated Beijing as the capital in 1402 and established Tianjin, just 130 kilometers from Beijing, as Tianjin Wei to serve as a strategic defense post for Beijing. Thus, Tianjin Wei was founded in 1404," explained Xu, who will deliver a lecture on the city's history to the foreign participants during the event.

Historical records from some Western countries also refer to Tianjin as "the passage to Beijing", underscoring its significant historical role.

Bruce Connolly, a Scottish freelance writer and photographer who has resided in China for over 30 years, will participate in the event via online video.

Although Connolly returned to Scotland last year, he continues to passionately document Tianjin, a city he deeply cherishes, through his writings for China Daily and his personal social media platforms. In his video message, he says he will extend his birthday wishes to Tianjin.

Reflecting on his first encounter with the city in 1996, Connolly expressed admiration for its unique character and architectural heritage, which inspired him to capture its essence through photography.

He emphasized the historical relationship between Britain and Tianjin in the 19th century, noting the city's pivotal role in China's history.

"Over the years, through study and considerable exploration, I steadily developed an understanding of Britain's 19th-century relationship with both China and Tianjin. The city became a focus of Britain's desire to gain both a foothold and a presence in China," he said. "Tianjin is a city I hold in deep affection."

Xu noted that Tianjin frequently appears in Western historical records due to its geographical location and role as a port connecting East and West.

Today, Tianjin continues its legacy of openness and development, exemplified by the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area, which has led China in hosting multinational corporations for over four decades.

Recent news highlighted a Singaporean investment milestone in Tianjin. Singapore-based Perennial Holdings Private Limited successfully obtained a license for Perennial General Hospital, making it China's first wholly foreign-owned tertiary general hospital.

This achievement follows China's decision in September to allow such hospitals to operate in select cities, including Beijing and Tianjin.

"The Tianjin government's comprehensive and highly efficient support across various departments and bureaus during the rigorous approval process provides foreign companies with first-class service, which is extremely conducive to business," said Pua Seck Guan, executive chairman and CEO of Perennial Holdings.