Sister cities urged to strengthen solidarity, cooperation

Against the backdrop of profound changes unseen in a century, sister cities and local governments worldwide are called upon to build on their partnerships, strengthen solidarity, deepen cooperation and work together for a better future.

Delegates from 61 countries, representing 103 provinces and states and 131 cities, launched the Xi'an Initiative on Oct 22 at the closing ceremony of the 2026 China International Friendship Cities Conference in Xi'an, Shaanxi province. The delegates spoke highly of the four global initiatives proposed by China and agreed that sister-city partnerships play an important role in advancing global urban governance and sustainable development.

The Xi'an Initiative encourages sister cities and local governments to pursue quality-oriented urban development, advance the green transition, and promote history and culture to build a global network for dialogue and cooperation among civilizations. It also emphasizes building networks of connectivity for a community with a shared future for cities, enabling sister-city platforms to serve as a bridge linking industrial matchmaking, technological exchange, and trade and investment cooperation.

Ashirbaev Elkinbek, plenipotentiary representative of the president of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Chuy region, said the history of the Silk Road powerfully demonstrates that the development of cities and regions is largely tied to their openness to exchanges. For centuries, trade routes have facilitated not only the exchange of goods but also the spread of knowledge, technology and culture, and today sister-city relations continue to play an important connecting role, he said.

Noting that sister-city relations are an important tool for strengthening international partnerships, he said such partnerships allow cities to share experience in regional governance, economic development, education, culture and improving residents' quality of life, thereby opening up new opportunities. He also expressed hope of strengthening ties with Chinese sister cities of the Chuy region, enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation and implementing the Xi'an Initiative.

Brian Surratt, deputy mayor of Seattle, echoed this sentiment, citing the enduring bond between Seattle and Chongqing as a prime example of how "people-to-people partnership at the local level can deepen mutual understanding, preserve heritage, and strengthen connections between communities".

Seattle and Chongqing established sister-city ties in 1983, and since then the two cities have conducted extensive exchanges in trade, economics and cultural fields, collaborating on projects involving museums, zoos and garden architecture, among others.

"Our sister-city relationship is more than a government agreement. It comes to life when a student discovers a new culture, when artists share their talents, and when people who are thousands of miles apart discover how much they have in common," Surratt said. "Our experience shows that two cities can honor their distinct identities while learning from each other and create something meaningful together."

Outstanding contribution

At the closing ceremony, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the China International Friendship Cities Association honored 20 Chinese provinces and cities for their outstanding contributions to international sister-city work. In addition, 40 foreign provinces, regions and cities were recognized for their active engagement in sister-city exchanges with China. They received the "International Friendship City Award for Outstanding Contribution" and the "Friendship City Award for Outstanding Partnership with China", respectively.

The closing ceremony also witnessed the establishment of new sister-city ties between ten Chinese cities and districts with their foreign counterparts.

The conference, held from Oct 20 to 22, is jointly hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the China International Friendship Cities Association, and the Shaanxi Provincial People's Government.