Chongqing, Seattle celebrate 41 years of sister city relation

Chongqing celebrated 41 years of sister city relation with Seattle, Washington, on Thursday as a delegation from the U.S. city visited Chongqing for the Chongqing International Friendship Cities Cooperation Conference 2024.

The conference attracted mayors and representatives from 48 cities in 31 countries, diplomats from 14 countries and delegates from international organizations, multinational corporations and business associations.

"Chongqing and Seattle have engaged in comprehensive friendly exchanges made possible by our shared enthusiasm for enhancing understanding and communication. This enthusiasm fosters mutual trust and a connection between our peoples," said Shen Jinqiang, deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Chongqing Municipal People's Congress.

"I believe that regardless of changes in international relationships, Chongqing and Seattle will continue to work hand in hand, expanding and deepening existing cooperation while continuously exploring new areas for collaboration."

Since June 1983, the two cities have had frequent people-to-people exchanges and increasing cooperation in various fields, such as information technology, architecture, education and healthcare, the Chongqing Foreign Affairs Office said.

Over the years, about 2,000 people from more than 120 groups in all walks of life in Seattle have visited Chongqing.

"This is my first visit to China and my first visit to Chongqing," said Seattle City Council member Dan Strauss at the celebration event. "I have been so impressed by your modern infrastructure and by the physical beauty of your mountainous location along the Yangtze River."

He recalled highlights of past exchanges and noted the significance of the Seattle Chinese Garden, a large Chongqing-style garden that the cities began to design and build in 1986.

"We truly see it as a bridge of friendship and understanding between our two peoples and our two communities. I am personally committed to seeing this magnificent garden completed," he said.

Chongqing was designated the country's fourth provincial-level municipality in 1997 after Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin. Covering 82,402 square kilometers, it is the largest of the four.

Last year, Chongqing's GDP reached a record 3 trillion yuan ($423 billion), up 6.1 percent year-on-year, thanks to its strong manufacturing and logistics sectors. It is the first city in western China to achieve a GDP that high.