Hohhot looks to build ties with Belarus's Gomel

On April 1, representatives from Hohhot, capital of Inner Mongolia autonomous region in North China, and the Belarusian city of Gomel sign a letter of intent to establish a sister-city relationship. [Photo/wsb.huhhot.gov]

Hohhot, capital of Inner Mongolia autonomous region in North China, signed a letter of intent with the Belarusian city of Gomel to establish a sister-city relationship on April 1.

The letter of intent is meant to help the two cities forge a stronger relationship and create international business opportunities.

Bi Guochen, vice-major of Hohhot, traveled to Gomel to sign the letter with his Belarusian counterparts.

Bi and his delegation also visited agricultural machinery plants in Gomel to discuss technical cooperation.

The stronger ties are expected to help Hohhot expand cooperation with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Gomel, as the administrative center of the Gomel region in southeastern Belarus, has a population of 540,000. It is a major exporter of dairy products, wood products, and linens to European markets.

Inner Mongolia has been dedicated to building ties with Belarus for years. Last year, Bu Xiaolin, chairwoman of Inner Mongolia autonomous region, reached an agreement with Belarusian Ambassador to China Rudy Kiryl to cooperate in education, agriculture, and machinery manufacturing.