Guizhou enhances cooperation with intl friendly cities

Guizhou and Vitebsk Oblast agree to enhance friendly relations at the conference. [Photo/ddcpc website]

The 2024 Guizhou International Friendly City Exchange and Cooperation Conference was held in Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, on Sept 9.

During the conference, Guizhou signed a cooperation agreement to deepen friendly exchanges with Vitebsk Oblast, Belarus, established friendly relations with Imereti, Georgia, and deepened friendly exchanges with Ovorkhangai Province, Mongolia.

Additionally, four city-level sister city agreements and agreements for multiple cooperation projects in various fields were signed at the conference.

Zhang Yangbin, deputy secretary-general of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, stated that establishing international friendly city relationships can promote exchanges between governments in China and abroad and promote cooperation and the sharing of resources.

Viengsavath Siphandone, governor of Laos' Luang Namtha Province, said that since establishing friendly provincial relations with Guizhou, the relationship between the two provinces has been deepened and solidified.

He expressed a desire to continue promoting cooperation in various fields to better facilitate the development of both provinces.

In 2021, Guizhou and Luang Namtha signed an agreement of intent to establish friendly provincial relations. In recent years, Luang Namtha has arranged for delegations to visit Guizhou multiple times, further enhancing cooperation between the two provinces in tourism, agriculture, education, and other areas.

To date, Guizhou has established friendly relations with over 120 cities in more than 50 countries. In the future, the province aims to deepen economic, trade, cultural, tourism, and educational cooperation with sister cities.