Sister city network weaves global tapestry of camaraderie

As a vibrant international metropolis, Shanghai has forged enduring friendships with 95 cities in 59 countries, starting with its inaugural sister city alliance with Yokohama, Japan, in 1973.

Among these partnerships, the one between Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and Shanghai has become a beacon of successful sister city collaboration. It commenced with port affairs and has blossomed into a multifaceted relationship encompassing horticulture, sewage treatment, and green energy advancements.

Meanwhile, sister cities such as Los Angeles in the United States, Athens in Greece, Windhoek in Namibia, and Cork in Ireland are partnering with Shanghai in areas that transcend the conventional realms of economics, trade, and culture.

For example, the collaboration between Shanghai and Los Angeles birthed a green shipping corridor, fostering eco-friendly transformations within the maritime industry.

"In August last year, the container ship Alette Maersk docked at the Port of Los Angeles, becoming the first green methanol-fueled vessel to arrive under the trans-Pacific green shipping corridor initiative. This is a landmark achievement of our cooperation with Shanghai," said Dilpreet Sidhu, deputy mayor of international affairs in Los Angeles.

Both pivotal global shipping hubs, Los Angeles and Shanghai have jointly championed a green shipping corridor along one of the world's busiest container routes, committed to steering the maritime sector toward sustainability.

Shanghai has also initiated the establishment of the "Alliance of Innovative Cities" with Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, establishing intercity green corridors connecting hub ports and commercial centers such as Shanghai, Singapore, Busan, Ho Chi Minh City, and Jakarta, with a focus on developing low-carbon logistics infrastructure.

Ho Chi Minh City is committed to being a dynamic, forward-thinking, and inventive partner, poised to collaboratively execute the aforementioned initiatives alongside Shanghai and other sister cities, a local senior official noted.

In a bid to nurture young talent, Lee Kwang-ho, ambassador for international relations of Jeollabuk-do in South Korea, advocated for continued collaboration between Jeollabuk-do and Shanghai in youth policy exchanges, startup incubation and smart agriculture research, leveraging the strengths of both Shanghai and Jeollabuk-do.

Furthermore, in Windhoek, tangible symbols of the enduring friendship between it and Shanghai, such as the China Pavilion in the city's central park and Shanghai Street, a main urban road, along with books from the "Window to Shanghai" initiative in local libraries, underscore three decades of shared history.

Ndeshihafela Larandja, the city mayor, hailed the sister city partnership as a catalyst for local innovation and an engine for global cooperation, acknowledging Shanghai's steadfast support in education, youth development, and knowledge sharing, which has inspired young people in Windhoek, enriched their lives, and broadened their horizons.

Vientiane Mayor Atsaphangthong Siphandone highlighted the growing trend of Laotian students pursuing education in China, with a current enrollment of over 800 students studying in Shanghai. Notably, 70 percent of these students are expected to return to Vientiane post-graduation to assume pivotal roles across diverse sectors. "We eagerly anticipate further collaboration between the two cities in the realm of education to empower more Laotian students," the mayor emphasized.

In terms of enhancing urban landscapes and uplifting residents' quality of life, Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy at Liverpool City Council in the United Kingdom Nick Small sees the urban renewal initiatives in Liverpool and Shanghai as valuable models for more sister cities.

Osvaldo Panaro, director of the culture, sports, and urban promotion bureau of Bologna in Italy, commended Shanghai's urban services, highlighting the city's efficient and accessible medical system, readily available assistance from subway staff, and seamless integration of technology into everyday services.

Through its sister city engagements, Shanghai has not only demonstrated the practical achievements of Chinese-style modernization but dismantled barriers and misconceptions, offering valuable insights and contributions to fostering a shared future for humanity, local officials said.

haonan@chinadaily.com.cn