Dongying forges global ties at friendship cities conference

Dongying, located in East China's Shandong province, hosted the 2025 Yellow River Estuary Friendly Cities Conference for Cooperation and Exchange from May 23 to 25. This event served as a prelude to the 2025 Shandong International Friendship Cities Cooperation and Exchange Week.

Organized by the Dongying Municipal People's Government, the conference brought together 47 representatives from allied cities across five countries to explore new avenues for collaboration.

The conference featured eight promotional and thematic exchange sessions, resulting in the signing of two letters of intent and eight cooperation agreements across sectors such as education, trade, and agricultural technology.

The event served as a dynamic platform for advancing international cooperation across multiple sectors.

Key activities included an international city promotion conference and a series of thematic exchange events between Dongying and its counterparts from Uzbekistan, the Republic of South Korea, and Kenya. These sessions fostered deeper collaboration in areas such as trade, culture, tourism, education, and agriculture.

Additional initiatives, including a familiarization visit by South Korean educational travel organizers and a special feature highlighting Dongying through the lens of its international partners, further enhanced the city's global visibility and appeal to inbound tourists.

Significant progress was also made in educational and cultural cooperation.

The Dongying Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism signed a study tour cooperation agreement with the National Council of Youth Organizations in Korea, establishing a mechanism for regular youth exchanges. Dongying Vocational Institute launched trilateral partnerships with universities and enterprises in Uzbekistan, focusing on joint program development and talent cultivation. In addition, the Dongying International Industrial College was officially inaugurated to integrate global educational and industrial resources, providing a new platform for international academic collaboration and the development of globally competitive professionals.

Advancements in industrial and technological cooperation were another highlight.

The Dongying Chamber of Commerce under the China Chamber of International Commerce established a long-term cooperation mechanism with Uzbekistan's Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade. The Yellow River Delta Institute of Intelligent Agricultural Equipment signed agreements with government, academic, and corporate partners in Kenya and Uzbekistan to jointly develop platforms, enhance talent exchange, and promote the overseas application of smart agricultural technologies.

As part of the Shandong International Friendship Cities Cooperation and Exchange Week, the conference highlighted Dongying's commitment to openness, mutual benefit, and high-quality development.