CHENGDU, China, April 16, 2025 — The “2025 Chengdu International Friendship Cities Cooperation and Development Forum,” hosted by the Chengdu Municipal People’s Government and organized by the Foreign Affairs Office of the Chengdu Municipal People’s Government, commenced in Chengdu on April 16.
The forum’s theme is “Hand in Hand, Sharing and Winning Together.” Key activities include the opening ceremony, a mayor’s roundtable, thematic promotion sessions, thematic inspections, and various bilateral meetings and related side events.
To strengthen collaboration between Chengdu and the five Central Asian nations in areas like trade, investment, infrastructure, and culture, Chengdu has established the Central Asia Economic and Trade Promotion Association, which will be inaugurated during the forum.
Mr. Dewit, Chairman of the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, highlighted Chengdu’s role as a crucial gateway for Belgium to access markets in Western and Central China. He stated that Chengdu and Belgium have a strong base in the pharmaceutical and technology sectors. He also mentioned Sichuan Airlines’ cargo flights to Belgium and the anticipation of future direct passenger flights, along with the need for closer ties between universities to promote student exchanges.
Chengdu, a hub for international exchange in western China, has cultivated a network of 241 “international friendship cities” since its initial sister-city agreement with Montpellier, France, in 1981. These relationships have facilitated diverse cultural exchanges and interactions, and have also spurred economic development, technological innovation, and educational cooperation in Chengdu.
Since 2016, Chengdu has successfully hosted six International Friendship Cities Mayor Exchange Events. In 2025, the city is elevating the event to the International Friendship Cities Cooperation and Development Forum to further enhance cooperation with its sister cities across multiple sectors.
Reflecting the deepening exchanges between Chengdu and the EU, the “2025 Chengdu • European Cultural Season” and the “European Style Street” events, organized by the EU Delegation in China, were held on April 12 in the Chengdu Eastern Suburb Memory Park. The events featured traditional art exhibitions, music performances, and culinary experiences.
The “Chengdu • European Cultural Season,” launched in 2017, has been held eight times, building a bridge of friendship and promoting mutual understanding and cultural exchange between Chengdu and Europe.
In recent years, Chengdu and EU countries have seen increasing cooperation in economy and trade, culture, education, and sports. Chengdu has established international friendship and cooperation ties with 31 cities in EU member states, with 11 cargo and passenger routes connecting Chengdu and the EU. In 2024, Chengdu’s import and export volume with the EU reached 142.16 billion yuan.
In February of this year, a memorandum of friendship and cooperation was signed between Asti, Italy, and Tianfu New District, Sichuan, in Chengdu. Maurizio Rasero, Governor of Asti Province and Mayor of Asti, Italy, noted Asti’s potential for collaboration with Chengdu in industrial development and scientific and technological innovation, given its status as an important historical and cultural city and a center for the wine industry and machinery manufacturing.
Source: The Foreign Affairs Office of the Chengdu Municipal People’s Government
CONTACT: Contact person: Ms. Hou, Tel: 86-10-63074558
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