China International Friendship Cities Conference 2016 Held in Chongqing Explore Actively New Ways of Development and Cooperation for Cities in the World under the New Situation

□ Article/ Journalist Zeng Rui Tr. by Mu Yiping

China International Friendship Cities Conference 2016 Held in Chongqing Explore Actively New Ways of Development and Cooperation for Cities in the World under the New Situation

□ Article/ Journalist Zeng Rui Tr. by Mu Yiping

Around the early summer of 2017, under the flight schedule of summer and autumn 2017 issued by Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), airlines of both domestic and international started 124 new fl ight lines, mainly concentrating on the major cities along the Belt and Road. Before that, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of PRC has announced that, up to 22, February 2017,countries that treat Chinese passports with preference have increased to 62, covering five continents. The increasing international airlines and the expanding convenience for Chinese citizens to travel abroad are both results brought by China’s Great Power Diplomacy and the Belt and Road, which is also the effect of strengthening cooperation among international cities in the new era.

In the China International Friendship Cities Conference held in Chongqing in December 2016, guests made active exploration in the new ways of development and cooperation for cities in the world.

This conference was held by Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries(CPAFFC), China International Friendship Cities Association (CIFCA) and People’s Government of Chongqing. Sun Zhengcai, member of CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and Secretary of Chongqing Municipal Committee, Li Yuanchao,member of CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and vice President, Huang Qifan, mayor of Chongqing, Li Xiaolin, president of CPAFFC and president of CIFCA, Zhang Min, Deputy Foreign Minister, Edward Ssekandi, vice President of Uganda, Yukio Hatoyama, former Prime Minister of Japan and Wim Kok, former Prime Minister of Netherlands, attended the conference and made speeches. There are totally 144 cities and more than 600 China and foreign representatives from 56 countries attended the China International Friendship Cities Conference 2016.

The theme of this conference is “Innovation and Development • Cooperation and Sharing”, aiming at corresponding with the achievements of G20 Hangzhou Summit. This conference offers a stage for local governments of China and foreign cities,for friendship cities organizations internationally, and for organizations that engaged in friendship cities management and study, so that they can show what they did, absorb successful experience and discuss solutions to problems and challenges faced by the world. Representatives from different countries have discussed many meaningful topics, made special active exploration to “new ways of development and cooperation for cities in the world under the new situation”. Guests appeal for promotion in communication and cooperation of international travels, encouraging perfection of international travel policy and system by increasing direct air routes, fl ights and chartered planes, implementing convenient travel policies like visa-free, visa on arrival and multiple-entry visa. All of those thoughts have been also written into the achievement of this conference, Chongqing Initiative.

Under the new situation, the topic “new ways of development and cooperation for cities around the world” resonates strongly among guests in the conference. Edward Ssekandi, vice President of Uganda, says, in recent years, many cities in China have built friendly relationships with cities around the world. On the basis of mutual respect, they have gained good results in international association and cooperation. As the former Prime Minister of Japan,Yukio Hatoyama remarks in his speech, municipality city Chongqing which turned itself into the center city of inland China, will further play an important role in the Belt and Road strategy. The International Friendship Cities Conference in Chongqing can promote communication of different cities from different countries, increase friendship, implement cooperative project, as well as realize sustainable development. Cooperation among cities around the world is of vital importance. Though building partnership, people can achieve inclusive growth and create more opportunities by information sharing.

For that, this conference has made the appeal “build global cities community with a common future”and written this thought into Chongqing Initiative,which reflects the inner voices of representatives from all countries. When this conference finished,a vigorous campaign of establishing friendship in China and foreign cities rises. Less than 6 months,China has increased friendship association with one country; and 91 sets of friendship cities (states)have increased compared to half a year ago.