In recent years, the foreign affairs departments of North China's Shanxi province have prioritized Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) contributions as a key objective of provincial foreign affairs work, driving the deep integration of services into the BRI.

The province has established international sister city relationships with 67 local governments in 32 countries and friendly cooperation partnerships with 151 local governments in 57 countries. This includes 40 international sister cities from 26 countries involved in the BRI and 117 friendly cooperation partners from 46 other nations.

From supporting poverty alleviation to promoting economic transformation, the province has actively shared the achievements of comprehensive reform with its sister cities to enhance mutual understanding and friendly relations.

Since establishing international sister city relations in 2010, Jincheng city and Sarah Baartman District Municipality in South Africa have maintained friendly exchanges and fruitful cooperation through active interactions. Achievements include establishing a partnership between Qinshui county and the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality and Qinshui county's discussions with South African enterprises regarding introducing high-quality Merino sheep.

"In 2024, the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Shanxi Province focused on major foreign affairs activities, such as high-level visits and forums in Taiyuan, to promote exchanges and cooperation with countries involved in the BRI," said He Nan, director of the European and African Division of the Shanxi Provincial Foreign Affairs Office. The next step for the office is to deepen exchanges and cooperation and help expand the province's involvement in the BRI.