Weifang city in East China's Shandong province held an online event to promote youth exchanges with Yachimata, a city in Chiba Prefecture, Japan on Feb 8.

Di Bo, vice-mayor of Weifang, sent a congratulatory message to the event. He said that Weifang and Japan are geographically close, culturally connected and industrially integrated. Since the establishment of a friendly cooperative city relationship in 2001, the two sides have carried out extensive exchanges and practical cooperation in the fields of economics, education and culture.

Di also expressed hope of taking this exchange activity as an opportunity to promote the friendly relationship between Weifang and Yachimata with more vitality.

Shinji Kitamura, mayor of Yachimata, said that through years of friendly exchanges, the two cities have consolidated the foundation of friendly cooperation. He hoped that young people from both sides can take this activity to have in-depth exchanges and further deepen the mutual friendly relations.

Primary and middle school students from Weifang and Yachimata staged performances and interacted with each other during the event.

Weifang plans to work with global sister cities to tell the story of Weifang well, show a positive image of Weifang and advance friendship, increase consultation, and strengthen cooperation.

Students from Weifang Kuiwen District Experimental Primary School perform kung fu during the youth exchange event. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Students from Weifang Kuiwen District Experimental Primary School attend the youth exchange event. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A Weifang student talks with her counterparts in Yachimata, a city in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Students stage cultural performances during the event. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]