Paige Miller, vice-president of the Seattle Chinese Garden, speaks during a celebration event on Thursday in Chongqing. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.
cn) Chongqing celebrated 41 years of sister city relation with Seattle, Washington, on Thursday as a delegation from the U.S. city visited Chongqing for the Chongqing International Friendship Cities Cooperation Conference 2024.
The conference attracted mayors and representatives from 48 cities in 31 countries, diplomats from 14 countries and delegates from international organizations, multinational corporations and business associations. "Chongqing and Seattle have engaged in comprehensive friendly exchanges made possible by our shared enthusiasm for enhancing understanding and communication. This enthusiasm fosters mutual trust and a connection between our peoples," said Shen Jinqiang, deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Chongqing Municipal People's Congress.
"I believe that regardless of changes in international relationships, Chongqing and Seattle will continue to work hand in hand, expanding and deepening existing cooperation while continuously exploring new areas for collaboration." Since June 1983, the two cities have had frequent people-to-people exchanges and increasing cooperation in various fields, such as information technology, architecture, education and healthcare, the Chongqing Foreign Affairs Office said. Over the years, about 2,000 people from more than 120 groups in all walks of life in Seattle.
