重庆友城知多少

About the Sister Cities of Chongqing

Today, our program, About the Sister Cities of Chongqing, will introduce stories between Chongqing and Leicester in the UK, Voronezh in Russia, Mpumalanga in South Africa, and Düsseldorf in Germany.

Leicester, the UK

On October 11, 1993, Chongqing forged a sister city relationship with Leicester, the UK. As one of the industrial hubs in the UK, Leicester boasts a diverse array of trades and earns itself the title of “City of a Thousand Trades.” Notably, it focuses on three trades: textiles, footwear, and engineering.

Concurrently, the city is a commercial center, a shopping and entertainment hub, an emerging tourist destination, and an important conference locale in Central England, where the world-renowned University of Leicester is located.

Since the creation of a sister city relationship, leaders from Chongqing and Leicester have paid several mutual visits. Mayor of Leicester led a delegation to visit Chongqing for the 12th China Chongqing International Investment and Global Sourcing Fair. In 2023, leaders from Chongqing led a delegation to visit Leicester, commemorating the 30th anniversary of establishing the sister city relationship.

Departments and agencies in both cities have paid mutual visits, facilitating and conducting exchanges and cooperation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the two cities extended mutual regards and actively participated in mutual assistance and collaboration. Chongqing University, Chongqing Medical University, and the University of Leicester maintained excellent long-term collaboration in domains such as joint educational initiatives, scientific research, faculty exchanges, and cooperative education programs.

Voronezh, Russia

Founded in 1586, Voronezh is one of the cradles of the Slavs and a hub of industry, science and technology, and culture in Russia.

On October 20, 1993, a sister city relationship between Chongqing and Voronezh was created, raising the curtain of friendly exchanges. Leaders from Chongqing led delegations to visit Voronezh several times. Officials of the Voronezh City Duma, such as the Chairman, Deputy Chairman, and First Deputy Mayor, also visited Chongqing. The two cities have carried out an array of exchanges and cooperation in fields such as trade, healthcare, education, and culture. An inter-parliamentary mechanism for friendly exchanges has been established between the Standing Committee of the Chongqing Municipal Peoples Congress and the Voronezh City Duma. Chongqing hosted trade exhibitions and fairs, such as trade conferences and product fairs, in Voronezh several times. Besides, the two cities have exchanged ideas and cooperated in realms including liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage technology, general machinery, and construction and building materials. Concurrently, Chongqing Third Peoples Hospital (Chongqing China-Russia Friendship Hospital) and Voronezh Hospital No. 8 (Russia-China Friendship Hospital) have collaborated in medical technology and expert training. Moreover, Sichuan International Studies University, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing Vocational College of Culture and Arts, and Chongqing No.8 Secondary School conducted inter-school exchanges, such as faculty and student exchanges, language courses and academic seminars, with Voronezh State University, Voronezh State Technical University, and Voronezh Dance Academy. Chongqing Daily and Chongqing Television Station have also fostered friendships with Voronezh news agencies.

Mpumalanga, South Africa

On October 18, 2002, Chongqing started a sister city/province relationship with Mpumalanga, South Africa.

“Mpumalanga” literally means the “place where the sun rises” in the Swazi language. The province lies in Eastern South Africa, bordering Mozambique. Its pillar industries include manufacturing, mining, agriculture, forestry, power generation, and tourism. Mpumalanga boasts a solid industrial base of scale. Its agriculture, forestry, and relevant processing industries are competitive. The province focuses on tourism, with unique resources encompassing grasslands, jungles, hot springs, wild animals, and tribal cultures.

In the past 20 years, government officials and delegations from the two sides paid several mutual visits. During these visits, cooperation and exchanges in fields such as trade, culture, tourism, and education were deepened through events, including seminars on economic cooperation and investment promotion conferences.

During the “Chongqing Urban Tourism Festival & Intercity Tourism Trade Fair (CQUCTF)” in 2001, the CEO of Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency visited Chongqing. In May 2001, a delegation from Chongqing visited Mpumalanga.

In October 2002, the Premier of Mpumalanga led a delegation to visit Chongqing. A memorandum of understanding on the establishment of the sister city/province relationship between Chongqing, the Peoples Republic of China, and Mpumalanga, the Republic of South Africa, was signed during a seminar on economic cooperation in Chongqing.

In October 2005, a delegation from Mpumalanga visited Chongqing for the 5th Asia Pacific Cities Summit & Mayors Forum.

In October 2008, the Premier of Mpumalanga led a delegation to visit Chongqing and signed an updated memorandum of understanding on the sister city relationship. During this visit, an investment promotion conference for Mpumalanga was hosted. In December 2008, leaders from Chongqing led a delegation to visit Mpumalanga. They signed a memorandum of understanding of work, prioritizing cooperation in realms such as economy, agriculture, and education.

In May 2010, a delegation led by the Deputy Speaker of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature visited Chongqing, exchanging with departments such as the Chongqing Municipal Education Commission.

In March 2023, the Head of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Mpumalanga, and the CEO of Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency attended the China (Chongqing)-South Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Seminar held in Chongqing via video link, expecting more economic and trade cooperation with Chongqing.

Düsseldorf, Germany

Chongqing, nestled along the Yangtze River, and Düsseldorf, lying on the bank of the Rhine River, developed a sister city relationship on July 22, 2004.

As the capital city of North Rhine-Westphalia, Düsseldorf is one of the most important economic and trading hubs in the region, where headquarters of world-renowned companies, such as METRO, E.ON, thyssenkrupp and Henkel, are located. The city highly values its international engagement. Düsseldorf boasts about 100 foreign consulates and economic and trade agencies. European headquarters of over 600 Chinese companies, including Huawei, are based here. Notably, Heinrich Heine, a famed German poet and friend of Marx, was born here. People named the University of Düsseldorf—which enjoys a good reputation in Europe and the rest of the world—“Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf” to commemorate the famous poet.

The Mayor of Düsseldorf and the Deputy Chairman of DCF (Deutsch-Chinesischer Freundschaftsverein e.V.) visited Chongqing with their delegations several times. Leaders from Chongqing also visited Düsseldorf with their delegations multiple times to facilitate cooperation in domains such as trade and culture. In March 2011, the China-Europe Railway Express was inaugurated, further deepening the ties between Chongqing and Düsseldorf. In November 2014, the Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries awarded Düsseldorf for “Friendship City for Exchange and Cooperation with China.”

In terms of economic and trade cooperation, Chongqing and Düsseldorf have hosted numerous promotions to promote trade between the two cities in recent years. The government of Düsseldorf sent a delegation to attend the First Smart China Expo & Mayors Roundtable for International Sister Cities of Chongqing, China in Chongqing. METRO operates multiple branches in Chongqing. Messe Düsseldorf GmbH also has an office in Chongqing. Moreover, the Logistics Coordination Office of the Chongqing Municipal Government has established a European liaison office in Düsseldorf. YUXINOU (Chongqing) Logistics Co., Ltd. has signed a logistics cooperation agreement with the Office of Economic Development, Düsseldorf, and the Economic Promotion Bureau of Duisburg.

The two cities are also active in cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The Sino-German Learning City-Urban Renewal Forum was held at Chongqing University. Sichuan International Studies University has set up Heinrich-Heine-Zentrum (Heinrich Heine Center). Schiller High School in Düsseldorf has paired with Chongqing Experimental High School (formerly Baxian Middle School) and conducted faculty and student exchanges. Furthermore, Sichuan Fine Arts Institute and Düsseldorf conduct regular exchanges among artists. Both sides hosted a concert to commemorate the day when the partnership was established at the City Square of Shanghai Expo Cultural Park. A series of cultural and trade exchanges were held by Chongqing in Düsseldorf, such as “Sensing China through the New Silk Road-Culture Mission for Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe International Railway.” Chongqing sent art groups to participate in Chinese festival events held in Düsseldorf several times. A traditional Chinese pavilion with double roofs and six eaves donated by the Chongqing Municipal Government to Düsseldorf symbolizes the cultural exchanges and close friendship between the two cities.

Source/Official WeChat Account of

Chongqing Foreign Affairs

本期《重庆友城知多少》栏目，为大家介绍重庆与英国莱斯特市、俄罗斯沃罗涅日市、南非姆普马兰加省、德国杜塞尔多夫市的故事。

英国莱斯特市

1993年10月11日，重庆市与英国莱斯特市缔结为国际友好城市。莱斯特市是英国的工业中心之一，以行业众多而闻名，有“千业城”之称。其中，主要为纺织业、制鞋业和工程业三大类。

同时，莱斯特市是英格兰中部地区商业中心、购物和娱乐中心、新兴旅游及重要会议中心，全球知名学府莱斯特大学坐落于此。

自缔结友城关系以来，重庆与莱斯特两市领导多次互访。莱斯特市市长曾率团来渝访问出席第十二届中国（重庆）国际投资暨全球采购洽谈会。2023年，重庆市领导率团访问莱斯特市庆祝两市结好三十周年。

重庆与莱斯特两市多个部门和机构互访，积极推动开展各项交流与合作。新冠肺炎疫情期间，两市互致慰问，积极开展互助合作。重庆大学、重庆医科大学与莱斯特大学在联合办学、联合科研、教师互访交流，以及教育合作等方面长期保持良好的互动。

俄罗斯沃罗涅日市

沃罗涅日市建城于1586年，是斯拉夫民族最早的发源地之一，也是俄罗斯重要的工业、科技和文化中心。

1993年10月20日，重庆市与沃罗涅日市缔结为友好城市，正式开启友好交往序幕。重庆市领导多次率团访问沃罗涅日市，沃罗涅日市杜马主席、副主席、第一副市长等也相继访问重庆。

两市在经贸、医疗、教育、文化等领域开展了一系列交往合作。重庆市人大常委会与沃罗涅日市杜马建立了议会间友好交流机制；重庆市多次在沃罗涅日市举办经贸推介会、商品展等经贸会展活动；双方在液化天然气安全储存技术、通用机械、建筑建材方面进行了交流合作；重庆市第三人民医院（重庆中俄友好医院）与沃罗涅日第八医院（俄中友好医院）开展在医疗技术和专家培养方面的合作；四川外国语大学、重庆理工大学、重庆艺术职业学院、重庆市第八中学分别与沃罗涅日国立大学、沃罗涅日技术大学、沃罗涅日舞蹈艺术学校等开展了师生互派、语言教学、学术研讨等方面的校际交流；重庆日报、重庆电视台与沃罗涅日新闻机构建立友好交流关系。

南非姆普马兰加省

2002年10月18日，重庆市与南非姆普马兰加省缔结友好市省关系。

“姆普马兰加”为斯威士兰语，意为太阳升起的地方。姆普马兰加省位于南非东部，与莫桑比克相邻。该省支柱产业主要为制造业、采矿业、农业、林业、发电、旅游业等，拥有较好的工业基础并具备相当规模。旅游业是其重点发展的支柱产业，草原、丛林、温泉、野生动物、部落文化等构成了该省独特的旅游资源。

20多年来，两地政府官员及代表团曾多次互访，通过举办经济合作座谈会、投资推介会等活动，深化两地在经贸、文旅、教育等领域合作交流。

2001年，重庆市“一会一节”期间，姆普马兰加省政府投资促进中心首席执行官来渝访问。同年5月，重庆市代表团访问姆普马兰加省。

2002年10月，姆普马兰加省省长率团访渝。在渝举办重庆—姆普马兰加省经济合作座谈会，签署《中华人民共和国重庆市与南非共和国姆普马兰加省缔结友好市省关系协议书》。

2005年10月，姆普马兰加省代表团来渝参加第5届亚太城市市长峰会。

2008年10月，姆普马兰加省省长率团访渝，在重庆签署了友城关系更新备忘录，并举办南非姆普马兰加省投资推介会。同年12月，重庆市领导率团访问姆普马兰加省，与该省签署工作备忘录，确定经济、农业、教育等领域为优先合作领域。

2010年5月，姆普马兰加省议会副议长率团访渝，重庆市教委等部门与代表团进行了工作对接。

2023年3月，姆普马兰加省经济发展与旅游厅厅长和经济促进局首席执行官线上参加了在渝举行的中国（重庆）—南非经贸合作交流会，表示希望与重庆开展更多经贸合作。

德国杜塞尔多夫市

长江沿岸的重庆，莱茵河畔的杜塞尔多夫，两市于2004年7月22日缔结为国际友好城市。

杜塞尔多夫市是德国北威州首府，也是最重要的经济和贸易中心之一，世界知名企业麦德龙集团、EON能源公司、蒂森克虏伯钢铁和汉高化工等总部都在这里。

杜塞尔多夫市高度重视国际化发展，其拥有外国领事馆和经济贸易机构约100个，华为等600多家中资企业将欧洲总部设在该市。德国著名诗人、马克思的好友海因里希·海涅出生于此。人们为了纪念他，将享誉欧洲和世界的杜塞尔多夫大学命名为“杜塞尔多夫海因里希·海涅大学”。

杜塞尔多夫市市长和德中友协副主席等曾多次率团来渝访问，重庆市领导亦多次率团访问杜塞尔多夫，推动两市在经贸、人文等多领域合作。2011年3月，中欧班列开通，进一步密切了重庆和杜塞尔多夫的联系。2014年11月，德国杜塞尔多夫市荣获中国人民对外友好协会颁发的“对华友好城市交流合作奖”。

经贸合作方面。近年来，两市多次举办经贸领域推介活动。杜塞尔多夫市政府派代表团来渝出席首届中国国际智能产业博览会暨中国·重庆国际友好城市市长圆桌会议；麦德龙仓储式超市集团在重庆开设多家分店；杜塞尔多夫博览会有限公司在渝设有办事处；重庆市政府物流协调办公室在德国杜塞尔多夫设立驻欧洲联络处；渝新欧（重庆）物流有限公司与杜塞尔多夫、杜伊斯堡经济促进局签署三方物流合作协议。

人文交流方面。两市曾在重庆大学举行中德“学习型城市”——城市更新论坛；四川外国语大学成立海涅中心；杜塞尔多夫舒尔文理中学与重庆市實验中学校（原巴县中学）结为姊妹学校，开展师生交流；四川美术学院与杜塞尔多夫开展艺术家定期交流；两市曾一同在上海世博园城市广场举办重庆—杜塞尔多夫友城日音乐会；重庆在杜塞尔多夫举行感知中国——穿越新丝路渝新欧国际铁路文化行等系列文化经贸交流活动；重庆曾多次派出文艺代表团参加杜塞尔多夫中国节活动；重庆市政府在杜塞尔多夫捐建的双檐六角中式凉亭——比翼亭，成为两市文化交流及深厚友谊的象征。

文图/重庆外事微信公众号