China-Africa: Sister Cities to Strengthen Global Solidarity for a Shared Future
Local governments and sister cities worldwide are urged to deepen their partnerships to tackle global challenges and foster a community of shared prosperity for humanity. This call was encapsulated in the Kunming Initiative, launched during the China International Friendship Cities Conference in Kunming, Yunnan province, on November 19.
Over 700 representatives from 41 countries endorsed the initiative, which seeks to strengthen mutual support among cities, promote cultural exchanges, and enhance connectivity. The initiative emphasizes the importance of local collaboration to address global issues and build a peaceful, cooperative world.
“This represents a significant consensus,” said Yan Dong, vice president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. “It reflects the global call for peaceful development and demonstrates the willingness of sister cities worldwide to deepen their exchanges and collaborations to build a brighter future.”
Speaking on behalf of South Africa, Kevin Naidoo, Deputy Director General for Policy, Governance, and Administration at the Department of Cooperative Governance, stressed the importance of mutual learning between China and South Africa.
“It’s very important to have collaboration so that we can learn from each other,” he said. “There are good things that China is doing in the municipalities, and there are some good things that China can learn from our municipality. I think we are both very unique, but exchange and collaboration are key to making the world a better place.”
Anouphab Tounalom, Party Secretary of Vientiane and President of the Vientiane People’s Council of Laos, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that local governments play a critical role in fostering bilateral cooperation.
During the conference’s closing ceremony, 20 Chinese provinces and cities were honored with the “International Friendship City Award for Outstanding Contribution,” while 40 foreign cities and provinces received the “Friendship City Award for Outstanding Partnership with China.” The awards celebrated their achievements in promoting international sister city work.
The event also witnessed the formation of new sister city ties between eight Chinese cities and their international counterparts. This brings the total number of sister city relationships involving Chinese municipalities to 3,054 across 147 countries.
The conference, themed “Common Prosperity and a Shared Future,” was co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the People’s Government of Yunnan Province. It served as a platform for cities worldwide to exchange insights and strengthen collaborative efforts.
The Kunming Initiative’s focus aligns with South Africa’s ongoing efforts to bolster international partnerships. As local governments in Gauteng explore new strategies to enhance infrastructure, economic development, and cultural exchanges, the conference underscored the potential for deeper ties between South African municipalities and their global counterparts.
“The global challenges we face today require local solutions and partnerships,” said Naidoo. “Through initiatives like this, we can find innovative ways to address pressing issues and make our cities more sustainable and inclusive.”
The Kunming Initiative serves as a reminder that fostering unity and cooperation at the local level is a crucial step toward building a global community that benefits all. As cities around the world continue to connect, the shared vision of prosperity and peace grows ever closer.
