Qingdao has currently forged friendly-city ties with 89 cities in 51 countries and regions, consisting of 29 sister cities in 27 countries and regions, and 57 friendly cooperation cities in 33 countries and regions. From the perspective of continental location, Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Oceania are respectively home to 30, 27, 4, 13, 5 and 7 friendship cities. It is noteworthy that Qingdao has carried out all-around exchanges and cooperation with the SCO member states since the SCO Qingdao Summit held in 2018, and has now forged or intended to establish friendly-city ties with 15 cities in 12 SCO member states. With a hefty jump of 333% in the number of friendship cities in the SCO member states, the share of capital cities and top three cities has increased from 33% to 62%.

This year, Qingdao has hosted with a high standard the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on People-to-People Friendship and Forum on Friendship Cities, with the participation of more than 400 guests from 16 countries and regions. With a focus on deepening people-to-people friendship and cooperation at local levels, the event has seen the signing of 11 friendship agreements. In the event, the Qingdao Initiative was released, an exhibition was held to showcase cooperation achievements, multiple latest achievements in scientific research, including “System Construction and Studies of Standards on Technological Transfers Targeted at SCO Member States” and two overseas school-running brands were launched, highlighting fruitful cooperation.  (Xue Huafei)

1. An exchange event for international students in China in the SCO Demonstration Area.