A signing ceremony takes place for a strategic cooperation agreement relating to popularizing the game of Go. [Photo/qz123.com]

A signing ceremony for a strategic cooperation agreement between the Chinese Weiqi Association, or CWA and the Quzhou municipal government was held on March 26 – regarded as a key step for Quzhou city in East China's Zhejiang province to establish itself as a mecca for lovers of Go to come and play the game.

Go, or Weiqi in Chinese, is an abstract strategy game where two players take turns placing black and white stones on a board.

The accord reportedly clarified the key directions and targeted tasks for cooperation between the CWA and Quzhou and under its terms, the partners will work together in the following areas:

*Jointly promote an important project on enhancing Go culture in Quzhou.

*Jointly promote the construction of a Quzhou International Weiqi Cultural Exchange Center – located in the local Shuitingmen historic and cultural block – scheduled to be completed and start operating by the end of June 2021.

*Jointly promote the construction of the Lankeshan Weiqi Cultural Park. Quzhou's Lanke Mountain – administered by Kecheng district – is the legendary birthplace of Go and as a result, many Go fans show a keen interest in the area.

*Support the Quzhou Lanke Chess Institute, to expand its influence and raise its profile.

*Jointly promote the construction of a Quzhou training base for the Chinese national Go team.

*Jointly hold major Go competitions and activities in Quzhou.

*Jointly set up a secretarial office for the organizing committee of the National College Teachers Go Invitational Tournament, for academics from leading universities.

*Support Quzhou to develop artificial intelligence applications in relation to Go.

*Support and promote Quzhou in its bid to expand the training of Quzhou professional Go players.