The exchange of Wuhan with international friendship cities was started in 1979, when Wuhan united Oita in Japan with steelmaking as the matchmaker(Technical cooperation between WISCO and Oita Works, Nippon Steel Corp.), built the tie of sister cities, the first time in the history of Wuhan Municipality, and Oita became the first international friendship city of Wuhan. Over 37 years, we seriously implement foreign policies and guidelines of the central government, adhere to the working policy of "positive attitude, reliable step, friendship first, pragmatic spirit", and relationship principle of "friendship, mutual benefit, effectiveness", actively build relationship with international friendship cities, continue to promote substantive interaction with these cities, make efforts to improve the level of foreign relation, build relation with a total of 99 sister cities and international friendship cities, including 23 sister cities and 76 international friendship cities. The number of sister cities and international friendship cities scales up, relationship network of international friendship cities basically comes into being.

　　I. Relation with international friendship cities becomes an important component in general diplomacy of China

　　In the exchange with international friendship cities, we keep correct political stand and bear the overall situation in mind, and take initiatives to serve national general diplomacy. Some international friendship cities, including Kiev of Ukraine, Galati of Romania and Khartoum of Sudan, were united at that time in order to serve general diplomacy of China. With international friendship cities, we've arranged frequent exchanges in numerous fields, made positive contribution to enhancing friendship among people from both countries and facilitating mutual social and economic development, and coordinated with general diplomacy of China. For example, our exchange with Bordeaux of France is fruitful, in that we've cofounded and jointly attended High-level China-France Forum on Local Government Cooperation for many consecutive years, which was won "China-France Local Government Cooperation Award". Hu Jintao, former President of China, and Wu Bangguo, former Chairman of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress, have commented the relation of Wuhan- Bordeaux sister cities, quote "become a model of cooperation between two countries, which invigorates all-round development of China-France tie". The friendship between Wuhan and Saratov of Russia was tallied with and enriched the concrete content and material interaction in the cooperation of region in upper and middle reaches of Yangtze River with federal district along Volga River of Russia. Arnhem of Netherland, Borlange of Sweden and Oita of Japan have been issued "Award for Exchange and Cooperation of Friendly City with China" by The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC); also, Wuhan has been conferred "Award for Strategic Development of International Sister City", "Award for exchange & Cooperation with International Friendship City" and other honorary titles by CPAFFC for many times.

　　II. Relation with international friendship cities becomes important momentum in improving international level of Wuhan

　　In addition to 99 sister cities and international friendship cities, Wuhan has established friendly relationship with more than 20 foreign NGOs, joined United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG). The network of such good relations helps developed long, stable and broad communication channel for Wuhan in various levels of opening to the outside world. The foreign relation over 37 years substantially facilitated all industries and sectors in Wuhan to learn from foreign advanced technology and management experience, enhanced international exchange and cooperation of Wuhan in the fields of trade, technology, education, culture, sports etc, quickened the pace of Wuhan in going global, fully manifested the leading and radiating role of sister cities in opening to the outside world and improving international level of Wuhan. Furthermore, increasingly deepened foreign relation has stimulated exchange of more personnel between Wuhan and international friendship cities, facilitated opening of international airlines connecting Wuhan and Paris, Moscow, San Francisco etc, and created positive conditions for setting up French, American South Korean and British Consulate-General Wuhan. So far, an agreement has been concluded between China and Russia, by which Russian Consulate-General Wuhan will be established in Wuhan. Then, all permanent members of the United Nations Security Council will establish Consulate General in Wuhan, and the international status of Wuhan will be more prominent. Moreover, we're accelerating the construction of the district of foreign consulates, and taking initiatives to invite more foreign countries to establish consulates in Wuhan.

　　III. Relation with international friendship cities becomes important content in high-level foreign exchange of Wuhan

　　High-level foreign exchange is characterized by leading and driving effect. During Wuhan delegation's visit of foreign countries led by municipal officials in each year, we arrange special visit to sister cities or international friendship cities as required, sign agreement on annual international exchange and cooperation, actively promote the city image of Wuhan, and boost friendly exchange and cooperation projects. During visit of Wuhan by the delegations of international friendship cities, municipal officials of Wuhan warmly accept the foreign guests, introduce to them about the situation of China, Hubei and Wuhan, to deepen pragmatic cooperation. In each year, municipal officials of Wuhan receive more than 30 delegations of international friendship cities, including over 10 missions of chairmen/vice chairmen of parliament/congress or mayors/deputy mayors. The delegations of international friendship cities are not only in high level, but also in huge scale, comprising of government officials and more members in business circles. High-level exchanges have played an important role in activating the interaction with international friendship cities, extensive advertising of Wuhan, in-depth pragmatic cooperation, deepening friendship among people from both countries, and many other areas. In 2013, Summit Forum of International Friendship Cities was held in Wuhan, when Wuhan Consensus was co-signed by the mayors of 30 sister cities and international friendship cities of 30 foreign countries, and declared joint construction of livable and happy city.

　　IV. Relation with international friendship cities becomes important channel in expanding space for foreign exchange of Wuhan

　　Taking relation with international friendship cities as the foothold, we make the best of demonstration effect and radiating and leading role of foreign relation, to extend international exchanges to surrounding cities and regions of these foreign counterparts, guiding from bilateral exchange to multilateral exchange. This point-to-area model not only added energy for cooperation with international friendship cities, but also created more opportunities for the development of foreign trade and economic cooperation. Relying on good relation with Chongju of South Korea, friendly and cooperative relations have been established between Wuhan and Kwangju, Daejeon, Suwon and Taebaek neighboring Chongju, and foreign relation has been established with Inchon, Gimhae etc, which has helped promote international exchanges between Wuhan and South Korea. In recent years, the annual events of Wuhan-Wuhan and South Korea exchanges have been organized, more than 150 Korean enterprises have invested in Wuhan, SK Group, Daewoo, Doosan Heavy Industries, LG Electronics, Korean Air etc have overseas offices established in Wuhan. Relying on good relation with Oita of Japan, international exchanges have been enhanced between Wuhan and Fukuoka, Kobe, Aomori et, AEON, the largest business group in Asia, has been introduced and successively established three shopping malls in Wuhan. Relying on good relation with Bordeaux and Essonne of France, international exchanges have been developed between Wuhan and Aquitaine, Lorraine and Lille, contributed to the settlement of Sino-French Wuhan Ecological Demonstration City project in Caidian District of Wuhan, and Wuhan has become one of the cities of French investment in China. Relying on good relation with Arnhem of Netherland, cooperation projects have been initiated between Wuhan and Gelderland and the government of Netherlands; with Arnhem as the bridge, Erfei Hill Landfill, the first modern environmental-friendly refuse landfill of Wuhan, has been successfully completed and put into service with donation from the government of Netherlands, which has been highly praised as a model project of friendly bilateral cooperation of China and Netherlands by Netherland Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Netherland Ministry of Economic Affairs, driven and caused the CDM project of Chenjiachong landfill gas power station, and other environmental protection cooperation projects between Wuhan and One Carbon Group of Netherland. The first energy-efficient building has been built in Wuhan East Lake High-Tech Development Zone by using the technology of Grontmij Group in Arnhem. Guanshan Netherland Exotic Park has become the symbol of international friendship between Wuhan and Arnhem. Relying on good relation with Christchurch of New Zealand, international exchanges between Wuhan and Canterbury Region have been promoted, both cities have conducted series of pragmatic cooperation in education, with fruitful achievements in the aspects of joint schooling, teachers training etc. The relation of sister city has been established between Wuhan and Concepcion of Chile, and opened the first channel for official contact of Wuhan with South American country.

　　V. Relation with international friendship cities becomes important platform for material international exchange of Wuhan

　　We take initiatives to develop exchange projects with international friendship cities; base on the characteristics of each international friendship city, we enhance advantage and avoid disadvantage to carry out interactive international exchange, ensure support of 1-2 material projects with each international friendship city, to build platform for extensive bilateral trade and non-governmental exchanges. To date, 4 international friendship cities (Oita of Japan, Essonne of France, Borlange of Sweden, and Cheongju of South Korea) have established economic liaison division or overseas offices in Wuhan. The convention of exchange visits has been developed between Oita of Japan and Wuhan, Kyushu Dairy, Maruyamas and Oita Bussan stores have been settled in Wuhan one after another, both cities have benefited from active exchanges in the fields of trade, culture, education, sports, tourism, talents training, environmental protection, agriculture, medical treatment and public health, welfare etc; "Wuhan Forest" park in downtown Oita has become the crystal of two sister cities; frequent exchanges of public servants, teenagers, trade, citizens and exposition between Cheongju of South Korea and Wuhan have been organized. Since 2008 to date, Borlange of Sweden has actively applied for project funds from the Swedish International Development Agency, to support pragmatic bilateral cooperation in multiple fields of education, environmental protection, civil affairs and culture. Economic and trade exchanges have been intensified between Wuhan and Manchester of UK in the fields of sustainable urbanization and smart city, advanced manufacturing and engineering, creative and digital new media, sports tourism etc. With internet technology, remote video interactive exchanges have been realized for middle school students from Wuhan and Pittsburgh of USA, and this exchange model has been applied and promoted in more schools of both cities. Duisburg of Germany has participated in the design of Wuhan Horticultural Expo 2015, and planned to exchange zoos in both cities and maintain the Garden of China in Duisburg. The terminal station of China-Europe (Wuhan) freight trains has been extended to Duisburg. Effective teenagers football exchange, change and cooperation of orchestras, technical cooperation of carbon accounting method and water services have been conducted between Bordeaux of France and Wuhan; Fruitful exchanges have been organized for SMEs cooperation, horse racing and joint schooling etc between Christchurch of New Zealand and Wuhan; initiatives are taken to promote cooperation of industries like port services and logistic services between Ashdod of Israel and Wuhan. Annually, international friendship cities of Wuhan organize delegations to attend grand events hosted in Wuhan, including "China International Machinery & Electronic Products Expo", "OVC EXPO", "Week of South Korea", "Wuhan International Yangtze River Crossing Festival", and more. Wuhan delegation has also attended the events of "International Flowers Expo Christchurch", "Cheongju International Craft Biennale", "Gyer Summer Art Festival of Hungary" etc.

　　VI. Relation with international friendship cities becomes important path for intellectual introduction and talents training of Wuhan

　　In 1984, Werner Gerich, a technical expert from Germany, took the position as the director of Wuhan Diesel Engine Factory, the first "foreign director" of China's state-owned enterprise, who was from Duisburg, a sister city of Wuhan; later, near 30 retired experts from Duisburg were dispatched to work in Wuhan, and Wuhan has been renowned in China for introducing foreign intelligence. With extending effect of "foreign director", intelligence introduction of Wuhan has been extended from international friendship city to more countries and regions; so far, about 200 economic experts/times have been introduced from abroad on a yearly basis, more than ¥2.0 million supportive funds have been applied and approved by State Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs, 154 foreign experts from 19 countries have been issued "Yellow Crane Friendship Award" by Wuhan Municipal Government, 15 foreigners have been awarded "Honorary Citizen" of Wuhan, 17 foreign experts have been issued "Friendship Award" of China. At the time of intelligence introduction, we actively organize talents training for international friendship cities; we've sent more than 50 public servants in various types to train personnel in Manchester of UK, water service and carbon accounting training in Bordeaux of France, horticulture training in Essonne of France, and civil affairs training in Borlange of Sweden. Moreover, we've sent over 100 teachers for training study in Christchurch of New Zealand, more than 500 persons/times of various trainees for training in Oita of Japan, and international exchange delegations to carry out cooperative works in Oita of Japan, Cheongju of South Korea and Borlange of Sweden.

　　VII. Relation with international friendship cities becomes important window for enhancing bilateral non-government exchanges of Wuhan

　　Due to differences in countries, regions, nationalities, histories and cultures among international friendship cities, mutual understanding and acquaintance particularly need to be strengthened among citizens of both cities. Now, exchanges of international friendship cities have gradually become part of local peoples' life, and bridge and window for mutual understanding. For celebrations of 5th, 10th, 20th and 30th anniversaries of bilateral tie with international friendship cities, we've organized themed activities such as "1000 Wuhan Citizens Visit International Friendship City", "Citizens of International Friendship City Visit Wuhan" etc, to allow citizens from both cities to experience the culture of international friendship cities, and enhance mutual understanding and friendship. For many times, Wuhan and Oita have organized more than 100 citizens for charter exchange visits of "Citizens Tour International Friendship City", and organized "Tour of Wuhan Communities" by Cheongju citizens for many times. We've organized mutual "City Picture Show", "Culture Week" and "Calligraphy & Painting Exhibition" for international exchanges with Christchurch of New Zealand, Manchester of UK and Borlange of Sweden, and mutually sent art performing group like troupe and symphony orchestra for exchange performance, to continuously deepen bilateral friendship. In September, more than middle school students from many international friendship cities visited Wuhan for 3-month learning experience. In Wuhan International Friendship City Commemoration Forest of Hankou Bund, each sculpture of unique exoticness represents a foreign friendly city, and becomes a testimony of mutual friendship.

　　VIII. Relation with international friendship cities becomes important front for foreign advertising of Wuhan

　　By actively advertising Wuhan from exchanges with international friendship cities, we've enhanced international awareness of Wuhan, and increased foreign influence of Wuhan. We've published brochures such as Prosperous and Elegant Wuhan, A Guide for Foreigners Living in Wuhan, Q&A on Foreigners Living in Wuhan, Wuhan Map in Chinese & English Edition etc, the album of "Wuhan . China" prefaced by Yuan Chengfa, Standing Member of Hubei Provincial Committee of the CPC and the Secretary of Wuhan Municipal Committee of the CPC, and Wanyong, the Mayor of Wuhan, is presented as gift in foreign affairs; The Rise Of A Great City, a promotional film of Wuhan's city image, has be translated into Korean, French, German, Russian and Spanish, in order to promote international image of the greater Wuhan. Each delegation of Wuhan visiting international friendship city will carry a lot of promotional materials for international publicity, each delegation of international friendship city will present foreign materials and play city trailer. In 2014, for the first time in China, we sent Yu Xi, a senior journalist of Changjiang Daily to visit 20 international friendship cities, full-length documentary novel of Exploration Of Sister Cities By Yu Xi and album of Good Friends Afar were fully recognized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. In addition, Reporter of Hubei Radio and Television Station was sent to Duisburg for exclusive interview of "One Belt, One Road" counterpart project, in the second half of 2015, we organized Interview of Sister City Mayors in cooperation with Wuhan Municipal CPC Committee Propaganda Department when more than 10 foreign mayors were visiting Wuhan, to further strengthen international promotion of Wuhan.

　　For foreign exchanges with international friendship cities for many years, we've profoundly realized that, material exchange is the lifeline of building relationship with international friendship cities; exchange on the principle of differentiated condition is an important means of building relationship with international friendship cities; active participation of all sectors and industries in the society is an important condition of building relationship with international friendship cities. In the period of "the 13th Five-Year Plan", we'll hold high the flag of peace, development and cooperation, seize key strategic opportunities of the construction of "One Belt, One Road", "Yangtze River Economic Zone" etc, adhere to the development concepts of "opening-driven development, cooperation-driven prosperity", stick to the principles of foreign relations of "Friendship, Mutual Benefit, Effectiveness", persist in the working direction of "develop friendship, promote opening, boost exchange and cooperation, serve social and economic development", consolidate and develop relations to international friendship cities, adjust and optimize the layout of international friendship cities, enrich the content of exchanges with international friendship cities, broaden the realm of exchanges with international friendship cities, enhance the friendship with the people of international friendship cities, drive exchange and cooperation with international friendship cities, enlarge the effectiveness of exchanges with international friendship cities, spare no efforts to serve general diplomacy of the central government and municipal social and economic development, and make additional and better contribution to improving international level of Wuhan.