Under the theme "United in Progress, Forward as One," the Fourth Ningxia Friendship Cities Forum included a series of activities such as the opening ceremony and dialogue among governors of international friendly cities and regions, as well as sessions seeking industry partnerships.

 

During the forum, Ningxia inked an agreement with Egypt's Sharkia governorate and a memorandum of understanding with Georgia's Kakheti region to establish friendly region relations.

 

Hazem Elashmouni, governor of Sharkia, said the governorate and Ningxia share many similarities in geographical features and strategic priorities, especially in the fields of sustainable agriculture, environment-friendly industrial development and the scientific management of various natural resources.

 

"We look forward to further strengthening coordination and cooperation between the two sides in various fields, expanding the scope of cooperation and deepening our strategic partnership," he said.

 

To date, Ningxia has established 66 friendly-city relationships with 44 countries, forming part of China's broader international friendship network.

 

According to Yang Wanming, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, China has established 3,080 pairs of friendly cities and friendly regions with 147 countries, building a global network of friendship and cooperation that spans five continents.