Upon the request of the mayor of the Japanese city of Kobe, the
first sister-city relationship in China was forged between the port
city of Tianjin in north China and the Japanese city nearly three
decades ago.
To
date, Chinese cities have had such a relationship with their
foreign counterparts all over the world.
Later this month, 126 cities from 46 foreign countries and 120
cities in China will gather in Beijing to attend the 2000 China
International Friendship Cities Conference and the 2000 China
International Friendship City Exchange Exhibition and Trade Fair to
discuss ways to further promote cooperation in a variety of
areas.
"We hope that the two events will help create a platform for
cooperation, and we are willing to make efforts to promote
people-to-people friendship as well as cooperation among cities,"
said Chen Haosu, deputy head of the preparatory committee of the
2000 China International Friendship Cities Conference.
During the four-day conference, expected to be convened on
September 26, participants will have the opportunity to discuss
such topics as sustained urban development, high technology and
urban management and community service, and to hammer out plans for
future cooperation.
Also, 16 pairs of cities are expected to receive the Millennium
Friendship City Certificates during the conference.
By
the end of 1999, 30 Chinese provinces, autonomous regions,
municipalities and 228 cities have had such a relationship with 211
provinces and states or 698 cities in foreign countries.
The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign
Countries (CPAFFC), which is in charge of sister-city relationship
in China, joined the International Union of Local Authorities last
year.
During the event, representatives from regional authorities of
Finland, the Netherlands and some other countries, together with
those from the CPAFFC, will also take part in the Day of the
International Union of Local Authorities, so as to explore
possibilities of cooperation between local governments of different
countries.
Exchanges between sister-cities in the areas of culture, people,
the economy, trade and sports promote mutual understanding and lay
a solid foundation for strengthening people-to-people friendship, a
local analyst said.
Chen, also vice-president of the CPAFFC, said the conference is
more likely designed to promote cooperation between medium and
small cities, in order to seek a common platform for
development.
In
another front, the 2000 China international Friendship City
Exchange Exhibition and Trade Fair will be held by the CPAFFC and
the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, with an
effort to provide business opportunities for participating
cities.
The trade fair will have an auction of more than 100 websites,
which is sure to be the highlight of the event.
"Lots of work remains to be done due the fact that Chinese cities
are expanding and cities in developing countries will also be
developing, and perhaps we would preside over another conference
when the number of sister-cities will grow up to 1,500," he
said.
(People’s Daily)