An international friendship city of Jinan, the Israeli city of Kfar Saba, was recently rewarded at the China International Friendship Cities Conference 2018.
The conference, which was sponsored by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and China International Friendship Cities Association, opened in Wuhan, Hubei province, on Nov 16. It attracted about 800 people from 60 countries to attend it.
Since it established sister-city relations with Kfar Saba in 2009, Jinan, the capital of Shandong province, and the Israeli city have carried out governmental, cultural and educational exchanges and expanded cooperation in commerce, trade, science and agriculture.
More than 20 delegations have been sent to each other's country, and MOUs have been signed by the two cities' culture and education authorities. Jinan's Yuying Middle School and the High School Affiliated to Shandong University participated in an arts festival in Kfar Saba, and the Israeli city sent a choir to take part in an international choral festival in Jinan. It has also held New Year celebrations for Jinan employees working in Kfar Saba for two consecutive years.
The high-tech zone and China National Heavy Duty Truck Group also expanded their business in Israel with the support of Kfar Saba. The two cities will mark the 10th anniversary of their friendship next year.
In recent years, Jinan has actively worked to expand its international cooperation and exchanges in an all-round way. At present, it has 25 international sister cities and has established international friendly and cooperative city relations with 45 international cities. At the 20th Sino-Japan-South Korea Friendship City Exchange Conference held in October, Jinan was rewarded for its cooperation and exchanges with Japan and South Korea.
Initiated in 2008, the China International Friendship Cities Conference is held biennially to offer a communication platform for international friendship cities, organizations and individuals to further promote exchanges and communication. It has been held in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Chongqing.
Jinan receives an award at the 20th Sino-Japan-South Korea Friendship City Exchange Conference in October. [Photo/jinan.gov.cn]
The award ceremony at this year's China International Friendship Cities Conference [Photo/jinan.gov.cn]
The certificate of honor granted to Kfar Saba at this year's China International Friendship Cities Conference [Photo/jinan.gov.cn]
The award granted to Kfar Saba at this year's China International Friendship Cities Conference [Photo/jinan.gov.cn]
