International Friendship

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  Nanjing and Zaragoza, Spain Sign Letter of Intent to Establish Sister City Relations

  On February 14, Nanjing and Zaragoza, Spain, signed a Letter of Intent to establish sister city relations. During the meeting, both sides held in-depth discussions on strengthening economic and trade cooperation and expanding cultural exchanges. They agreed that Nanjing and Zaragoza share similar resources and possess complementary industrial strengths, offering great potential for collaboration in areas such as trade, culture and tourism, education, and science and technology.
  The year 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Spain. Building on this new agreement, the two cities aim to deepen mutual understanding through friendly exchanges, drive shared growth through economic collaboration, and strengthen their bond through cultural exchange—paving the way for mutual benefit and a bright future together.
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  Nanjing Musicians Travel to St. Louis to Celebrate 46 Years of Sister City Friendship

  In November 1979, Nanjing and St. Louis became the first official sister cities between China and the United States following the establishment of diplomatic ties—a historic milestone in international friendship. To honor the enduring and fruitful relationship between the two cities, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Sister Cities International jointly presented the "Long-Term Friendly Cooperation Award" to Nanjing and St. Louis in 2014. More recently, in 2024, St. Louis received the "Outstanding Partner Award for Friendship with China."
  Over the past 46 years, the two cities have enjoyed vibrant and frequent exchanges at both official and grassroots levels. Every five to ten years, delegations from each city take turns visiting the other, deepening collaboration in trade, education, culture, healthcare, and biodiversity conservation.
  To mark the 46th anniversary of this pioneering sister-city bond—as well as the 30th anniversary of the Chinese Garden, Yi Ning Yuan (Garden of Friendship and Tranquility), at the Missouri Botanical Garden—four traditional Chinese music performers from Nanjing traveled to St. Louis for a cultural exchange program from May 1 to 5, 2025.
  In a heartfelt gesture of friendship, the Mayor of St. Louis and the County Executive of St. Louis County each issued proclamations declaring May 3, 2025, as “China Day” and “Nanjing Traditional Music Day,” respectively—celebrating the shared legacy and cultural ties between the two cities.