Binzhou in East China's Shandong province held an online conference with Goyang, Gyeonggi province in South Korea on Dec 6 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of their sister city relationship.

Song Yongxiang, mayor of Binzhou, delivers a speech at the online conference. [Photo/binzhouw.com]

Facing each other across the sea, Binzhou and Goyang are close neighbors separated by only a narrow belt of water, said Song Yongxiang, mayor of Binzhou.

In the past 25 years, the frequent exchanges and cooperation achievements between the two sides have made Binzhou a model for China-ROK local exchanges and cooperation, Song said.

"At present, both Binzhou and Goyang have entered a critical stage of high-quality development. The cooperation space between the two sides is broad, and has huge potential and promising prospects," Song said.

Song hopes that the two sides will continue to work together, further enhance their friendship, and deepen cooperation to achieve mutual benefits and win-win results.

Lee Jae-joon, mayor of Goyang, delivers a speech at the online conference. [Photo/binzhouw.com]

Lee Jae-joon, mayor of Goyang, said in his speech that Binzhou is the first international sister city of Goyang.

In the past, both cities took agriculture as their main industry. After 25 years of common development, the two cities are now full of vitality and diversified industries, Lee said.

He expressed hope that Goyang and Binzhou could promote close exchanges and cooperation in more fields and share the fruits of development in the next step of cooperation.

The two sides also promoted online sightseeing routes.