Jinan, Samarkand become friendship cooperation cities

The signing ceremony for friendship cooperation agreements is held at the ongoing Shandong International Friendship Cities Conference for Cooperation and Development on Oct 16. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Jinan welcomed a new friendship cooperation city at the ongoing Shandong International Friendship Cities Conference for Cooperation and Development on Oct 16 when it signed an agreement with Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

To date, Jinan has a total of 51 friendship cooperation cities and 27 sister cities.

Zheng Deyan, deputy mayor of Jinan, and Erkinjon Radjabov, deputy mayor of Samarkand, attended the signing ceremony.

Samarkand, one of the oldest central Asian cities in Uzbekistan, covers an area of 108 square meters and is the second largest city in the country, 300 kilometers away from the capital Tashkent.

As an importance hub along the Silk Road, the city has developed into a well-known center of tourism and culture in central Asia.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992, China-Uzbekistan relations have developed rapidly. China has become Uzbekistan's second largest trading partner and largest investor.

Jinan and Samarkand have strong potential in culture, tourism and trade cooperation. The friendly relationship will help Jinan deepen its partnership with countries in central Asia and expand international ties.