The Seventh China-U.S. Sister Cities Conference was held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, from October 25 to 27, co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Zhejiang Provincial Government.
Under the theme “Closer Cooperation, Sustainable Future,” the event brought together over 180 representatives from various sectors across 36 counties and cities in 28 U.S. states, along with delegates from 26 Chinese provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. It marked the largest and highest-level local exchange between China and the United States in recent years.
Participants engaged in in-depth discussions and shared insights on topics including education, innovation, and sustainable development. They highlighted the important role of sister city partnerships in deepening mutual understanding and enhancing the well-being of both peoples.
At the conclusion of the conference, attendees issued the “Hangzhou Consensus,” calling on people from all sectors of Chinese and American society to actively support and participate in sister city cooperation amid ongoing global challenges. The document emphasizes the importance of advancing collaboration in areas such as culture, education, and youth exchanges, reflecting a shared commitment to fostering stable, healthy, and sustainable China-U.S. relations.
The conference underscored that local-level engagement remains a crucial channel for maintaining and strengthening ties between the two nations, even amid broader diplomatic complexities.
Source: People’s Daily, October 28, 2025
https://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/pc/content/202510/28/content_30111830.html