CRI Online Shandong (Reported by Guo Fuying): On May 27, the 2025 Shandong International Friendship Cities Cooperation and Exchange Week (IFCCE) was kicked off in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province. With the theme of “Walking Hand in Hand for Cooperative Development”, the event has brought together approximately 900 foreign guests from more than 120 provinces/states and cities in 47 countries. It established an open floor for them to deepen their friendship, strengthen cooperation, and seek common development.

　　Launching Ceremony of 2025 Shandong International Friendship Cities Cooperation and Exchange Week & Governors' Dialogue [Photo by Guo Fuying]

　　A series of activities were held during the launching ceremony of IFCCE and Governors’ Dialogue, such as the "Friendship Cities Talk - Friends of Shandong" story sharing, the signing ceremony of friendship provinces/states and cities, the awarding ceremony of "Shandong Friendship Cities Outstanding Partner", and the release ceremony of the "Jinan Initiative" for international friendship city cooperation. These activities have promoted the in-depth connection between Shandong and its friendship cities, and gained fruitful results in various fields. During the Governors’ Dialogue session, leaders of Shandong Province and five governors from friendship provinces/states explored ways to further expand channels across various fields amid a complex and volatile global landscape, as well as how to boost economic and social development through economic and trade cooperation among friendship cities.

　　During the event, 26 activities will also be held, including a business matchmaking meeting for friendship cities, and the "Discover New Shandong" economic and trade cooperation trip in Shandong, to promote all-round and targeted exchanges between Shandong and its friendship cities in all fields.