The Chongqing International Food and Culture Carnival kicked off on Tuesday at the Chongqing International Friendship City Food Street in the city's Yuzhong district. The six-day event showcases more than 40 local restaurants and over 30 signature dishes from Chongqing's friendship cities around the world, complemented by cultural performances, a food market and interactive experiences.

The carnival boasts 34 stalls offering over 50 international dishes from 20 countries and regions. Visitors can savor a diverse array of cuisines, from Brazilian barbecue and Mexican tacos to Belgian waffles and Singaporean-style breakfast dishes.

A highlight of this year's event is the Chongqing International Friendship Cities Hotpot Chef Skills Invitational, where 30 contestants from 18 countries — including Russia, Italy, Germany and Vietnam – competed in preparing the traditional Chongqing hotpot soup base with beef tallow broth.

Since its inception in 2024, the Chongqing International Friendship City Food Street has become a vibrant symbol of Chongqing's international appeal and consumer vitality, attracting over 500,000 visitors from around the world.

To date, the southwestern municipality has established relations with 202 friendship cities and friendly exchange cities worldwide. Trade with these cities accounted for approximately a quarter of Chongqing's total foreign trade last year, local authorities said.

The ongoing carnival is part of the Chongqing International Friendship Cities Cooperation Conference 2026, which began in Chongqing on Wednesday. The conference has attracted high-ranking officials including mayors, governors, and speakers from 38 cities across 29 countries. Additionally, representatives from nine international friendship organizations, diplomats from 17 countries, and delegates from multinational corporations and business associations were in attendance.