Friendship cities serve as crucial bridges for Qingdao to enhance international cooperation across cities worldwide. [Photo/WeChat account: qd12301]

The Qingdao International Friendship City Exchange Month began on July 19, bringing representatives from 19 sister cities and institutions from 17 countries to the city. The event aimed to explore new models of exchange and cooperation, expanding opportunities for mutual development.

During the opening ceremony, Qingdao and Hungary's Somogy county signed an agreement to establish friendly cooperation as sister cities, adding another city to Qingdao's international friendship network, which now spans 95 cities in 54 countries.

Friendship cities serve as vital links to promote cultural exchange and mutual cooperation. In 1979, Qingdao and Shimonoseki, Japan, signed an agreement, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Qingdao's international friendship exchanges.

Over the past 46 years, Qingdao has leveraged its sister city relationships to highlight regional characteristics, innovate in communication methods, and deepen international exchanges. The network of sister cities has expanded across five continents, fostering numerous partnerships.

Bilateral cooperation has led to investment promotion agencies, the opening of air and rail cargo routes, and the completion of industrial investment projects. Cultural exchanges in areas such as tourism, sports, and youth activities have flourished, promoting cultural integration and mutual understanding between cities.

Since hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Qingdao Summit in 2018, Qingdao has expanded exchanges and cooperation with SCO member states. New sister cities include Dushanbe in Tajikistan, Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, and Samarkand in Uzbekistan.

Notably, the new SCO Express from Qingdao to Samarkand will facilitate interactions between demonstration zones and industrial parks in SCO member countries. Currently, Qingdao has established friendly relations or intentions with 18 cities from 13 SCO countries.