Jinan vows to deepen cooperation and exchanges with sister cities

This year, Jinan in East China's Shandong province will promote practical cooperation with its 85 international sister and friendly cities across various fields.

The city will launch a series of international activities to build new platforms for foreign exchanges this year. The construction of the China-Caribbean Development Center will be sped up, while a wide range of distinctive products from Latin American and Caribbean countries will be displayed and sold at the Jinan Area of China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone. A series of events will be organized to celebrate the national days of Caribbean countries, while colorful activities, such as photo exhibitions, will be held to boost exchanges between China and Caribbean countries in the fields of economy, trade, science, technology, and culture.

Jinan will hold and undertake important provincial and municipal foreign affairs activities, such as the 11th Regional Leaders' Summit, the World Sister City Forum, the second International Youth Exchange Conference, the Jinan International Sister City Youth Talent Contest, as well as the China-Africa Youth Festival.

Efforts will be made to accelerate urban development to boost the city's internationalization. Jinan will also strive to improve its international environment for expats in the city's Lixia, Licheng, and Huaiyin districts, as well as Pingyin county.

A sound environment for international understanding education and foreign-oriented publicity will be built in Lixia district. In addition, the local government will support Licheng district to carry out friendly cooperation activities with Cegled, Hungary, while the city's Huaiyin district will be encouraged to develop into Jinan's model for integrated foreign services. Pingyin county will be developed into a practice base for "rural vitalization driven by urban internationalization ", while the Rose Seven, a world-class industrial platform for rose planting, processing, and cooperation, will be built in the county.

Jinan will also seek complementary cooperation with its sister cities this year. A series of brand activities will be launched to comprehensively advance practical cooperation with its 85 international sister and friendly cities in fields like economy, trade, science and technology, culture, education, as well as health. Increased efforts will be made to strengthen the planning of several major projects, with the city teaming with countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative to build the Rose Seven into a world-class platform for the rose industry.