Focus on collaboration and problem-solving

Partnerships fostered by Shanghai across world help strengthen understanding and deepen cooperation

Friendship cities have become a vital bond to foster mutual trust and learning among different civilizations and promote international cooperation on global issues, said participants at the Global Mayors Dialogue and the 2025 Shanghai International Friendship Cities Cooperation Forum, which was held at the end of May.

The event, featuring two subforums, brought together about 100 mayors and representatives from 26 cities in 22 countries. It aimed to deliver both solutions for respective cities and a global outlook on common urban challenges, according to the organizers.

"Amid the current complex and volatile international situation, developing sister-city relations requires an even stronger commitment to the original purpose of engagement and deepening pragmatic cooperation to consolidate friendships, share development opportunities and promote prosperity and stability through equality, mutual trust, extensive consultation and joint contribution," said Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng.

Shanghai has so far built sister-city relations with 95 cities across 59 countries, and it will continue to expand this network, Gong said.

He then outlined four areas of focus for Shanghai's sister-city development: expanding economic and trade exchanges, accelerating green transformation, strengthening scientific and technological innovation, and enhancing people-to-people connections.

As Shanghai celebrates some milestones in diplomacy this year including the establishment of its sister-city relationship with Athens, Greece, and 20th anniversaries with Cork, Ireland, and Jeollabuk-do, the Republic of Korea, the forum offers participants an opportunity to share insights and achievements, fostering further cooperation.

Over the past two decades, Cork-Shanghai sister-city relations have delivered tangible benefits for the residents of both cities, which are reflected in numerous projects on education, healthcare and business, said Dan Boyle, mayor of Cork.

"The teamwork spirit embodied by platforms such as the Global Mayors Dialogue has enhanced our confidence in tackling climate change and other shared challenges of humanity," Boyle said.

Athens Mayor Haris Doukas said Shanghai is a modern metropolis in the East, serving as the gateway for European goods and services entering the Chinese market, while Athens, as Shanghai's counterpart in the West, is where different civilizations and cultures converge.

The two cities have significant missions in East-West exchanges, he said, adding that Athens looks forward to expanding cooperation with Shanghai across multiple sectors including tourism, culture, innovation, education and urban revitalization.

Additionally, Shanghai signed a letter of intent on friendly cooperation and exchange with Vientiane, Laos during the event, as well as a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of friendly relations with Tbilisi, Georgia.

The relationship between China and Georgia has reached a strategic level, as there are many important agreements in place, such as visafree and free-trade agreements, said Andria Basilaia, deputy mayor of the Georgian capital city.

Signing the MOU is only the beginning of the friendship between Shanghai and Tbilisi, he added.

"Shanghai is a metropolitan city and we have a lot to learn from Shanghai," he said. "Hopefully, we will be cooperating in many key areas, such as transportation, urban space development and waste management."

Sustainable development

One of the subforums delved into sustainable urban development, where mayors and representatives exchanged their views on low-carbon measures and policy recommendations.

A successful green transition must be underpinned by equality and justice, said Michele Rubirola, the first deputy mayor of Marseille, which is pushing forward port transformation through shore power systems, alternative fuels, and low-carbon logistics.

"It is not only a problem involving technological upgrades or infrastructure improvement; more than that, it requires every community and all citizens to join in and benefit from the green transformation," Rubirola said.

Since the establishment of their sister-city ties in 1987, Shanghai and Marseille have developed extensive cooperation in trade, port operations, education and culture. The partnership is more than just symbolic — it's a dynamic, long-term and practical collaboration, she emphasized.

Bui Xuan Cuong, vice-chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, proposed to create the Innovative Cities Alliance for data sharing and technology exchanges among cities; and establish "Inter-City Green Corridors" connecting port cities and commercial centers such as Shanghai, Singapore, Busan, Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta to promote the development of low-carbon logistics infrastructure.

Ho Chi Minh City commits to being a proactive, innovative partner, standing ready to team up with Shanghai and other friendly cities to bring these initiatives to fruition, he said.

Participants also visited Shanghai's scenic spots, low-carbon programs and tech companies during the event, gaining a direct understanding of the city's sustainability achievements.

As a first-time visitor to Shanghai, Doukas said he was impressed by the large number of parks and electric vehicles in the city. "Shanghai's expertise in electrification is what we want to learn. We have already discussed with several enterprises and planned to promote private EVs and electric buses in Athens," he said.

Youth power

The creativity, attitudes and aspirations of young people will define the future of cities, said Merja Narvo-Akkola, deputy mayor of Espoo, Finland during the subforum themed on youth vitality and urban innovation.

In Espoo, schools are implementing project-oriented learning models, interdisciplinary collaboration, and inclusive educational approaches, according to the deputy mayor. Young people can discuss urban development issues at a forum especially organized for them, and put their proposals into practice in collaboration with government officials.

Moreover, the city has provided many digital platforms for young people to share views and submit suggestions.

Lee Kwang-ho, ambassador for international relations of Jeollabuk-do, showcased the region's youth support program, which includes a batch of measures on employment, startups, housing and welfare.

He suggested that Jeollabuk-do and Shanghai establish cooperation in areas such as youth policy, startup incubation, and agricultural research.

By leveraging the strengths of both regions, such partnerships would not only broaden the perspective of young people in Jeollabuk-do but enable young people in Shanghai to gain insights into South Korea's agricultural biotechnology and local innovation practices, he said.

Atsaphangthong Siphandone, mayor of Vientiane, said that nowadays an increasing number of Lao students are pursuing higher education in Shanghai.

"According to the data of 2024, 70 percent of them opted to work in Vientiane upon graduation. However, we still face talent shortages in public health, mineral resources development and education," he said.

The mayor added he hoped to see more educational cooperation between the two cities and more Lao students studying in Shanghai.

A sustainable human settlement is showcased at the 2025 Shanghai International Carbon Neutrality Expo in Technologies, Products and Achievements held on June 5-7. GAO ERQIANG/CHINA DAILY

Guests of the Global Mayors Dialogue and the 2025 Shanghai International Friendship Cities Cooperation Forum visit Shanghai Tower on May 30. GAO ERQIANG/CHINA DAILY

Guests discuss "Youth Vitality Inspiring Urban Innovation for the Future", an issue of the Global Mayors Dialogue and the 2025 Shanghai International Friendship Cities Cooperation Forum held in Shanghai in late May. GAO ERQIANG/CHINA DAILY