Chongqing to host international friendship cities cooperation conference

Chongqing, a municipality of 32 million in southwestern China, will host a global meeting May 22-23 to promote cooperation with major cities around the world.

Under a theme of "deepening local cooperation and promoting common development," Chongqing International Friendship Cities Cooperation Conference 2024 has attracted about 200 participants, including foreign dignitaries, heads of Chongqing's sister cities and friendship cities, foreign diplomats, and representatives of international organizations in China, according to Chongqing Foreign Affairs Office.

To date, 35 local leaders from 48 cities of 31 countries have confirmed participation, including Seattle of the United States, Hiroshima of Japan, Minsk region of Belarus, Aswan province of Egypt and Pest County of Hungary.

Chongqing will stage a series of activities to promote cooperation in trade, culture and ecology, such as a meeting on clean energy with the delegation of Sacramento, United States and a promotion event with the mayors from Silicon Valley.

The event is hosted by Chongqing Foreign Affairs Office and Chongqing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. It is the first time for the city to hold such an international meeting.

Chongqing became the country's fourth municipality in 1997 after Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin. Covering 82,402 square kilometers, it is the largest of the four.

Located on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, the city boasts key geographic advantages as a strategic pivot point in the national development programs for western regions and the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle, and also as a connecting point for the Belt and Road Initiative and the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

Up to now, Chongqing has established sister city relationships with 54 provinces, states and cities in 36 countries around the world, including 31 municipal sister cities.