Philadelphia eyes deeper ties with China

The first China-US Cultural Heritage and Urban Development Forum kicked off on Monday at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, aiming to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the two areas and further promote business opportunities between the two countries.

"Our relationship with China is a special one, as it's continued to grow since 1979, when Philadelphia and Tianjin became formal sister cities. This was China's first sister city partnership," Philadelphia Mayor James Kenney said at the opening ceremony.

"China now is our No 2 market for international tourism. We also share world heritage cultural distinctions," Kenney said. In January, he said, representatives from the Philadelphia Department of Commerce visited China and discussed more opportunities for collaboration.