Internal working platform of Yunnan Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries

Since the establishment of the first international sister city in 1981, Kunming's international "friend circle" has continued to expand. Up to now, 23 pairs of international sister cities and 17 pairs of friendly exchange cities have been established, covering five continents of the world, ranking first in the country. Top three in the city. The territory of the "circle of friends" is still expanding.

       In order to further enhance the city's internationalization level, Kunming has set the goal of increasing and optimizing the number and layout of sister cities. By 2020, the number of sister cities will reach 25 pairs. Reach 30 pairs, and reach 35 pairs by 2030. In terms of layout, it will continue to extend the friendly relationship with important cities in Southeast Asia and South Asia, and use the advantages of geography and popularity to carry out mutually beneficial cooperation; Make positive contributions to economic and social development and promote the city's opening to the outside world.

Give full play to geographical advantages

Close contacts with cities in South and Southeast Asia

      ;   Adjacent to South and Southeast Asia, Kunming has become a node city for exchanges between Southwest China and even China and South and Southeast Asian countries. As the capital city of Yunnan, Kunming actively integrates into and serves the "Belt and Road Initiative". Among the 23 pairs of sister cities and 17 pairs of friendly exchange cities, more than 10 pairs are cities in South and Southeast Asian countries.

         As early as 1999, Kunming established a sister city relationship with Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Chiang Mai became Kunming's first international sister city in South and Southeast Asia. Today, the exchanges between Kunming and Chiang Mai have become a model of non-governmental exchanges. People from both sides go to each other's cities to study, do business, and have close cultural and economic exchanges. "There is almost no need for government departments to take the lead, and non-governmental exchanges have become the norm. This is also a result we want to see in the work of sister cities." Wang Hao said.

        After joining hands with Chiang Mai, Kunming has successively established sister city relations with cities such as Bangkok in Thailand, Da Nang in Vietnam, and Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Among them, the sister city relationship with Mandalay City and Yangon City in Myanmar is the first in the number of China-Myanmar sister cities; Chittagong City in Bangladesh is the only pair of sister cities between China and Bangladesh, and Calcutta City in India is the only pair of sister cities between China and India. One of the first three pairs of sister cities in China. At present, the consulate generals of 7 countries including Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Bangladesh and 3 visa centers covering 15 countries have settled in Kunming, which has promoted deeper cooperation.

Strengthen all-round communication

  In the past, when referring to diplomacy, it refers more to the country and the diplomatic model at the national level. With the diversification of urban development, local diplomacy begins to play a role, serving local economic and social development, promoting non-governmental exchanges among countries, and boosting the "big diplomacy" between countries.

      Under the coordination of the Kunming Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office and other departments, the exchanges between Kunming and other countries in the fields of government and non-governmental affairs have become increasingly close. In recent years, the Municipal Office of Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese Affairs has actively organized and dispatched professionals to international sister cities to participate in international conferences, professional exhibitions, forums, sports events and cultural performances, such as the "Fifth Urban Planning and Technology Exhibition" in Antalya, Turkey, Hong Kong "Vietnam Central and Western Economic Corridor Expo", Fujisawa, Japan "Shonan Citizens Marathon" and other activities.

        "South Asia and Southeast Asia Sister Cities Symposium", "Mayor Forum" and other activities to establish a long-term dialogue and exchange mechanism with South Asia and Southeast Asia sister cities. Focusing on the "Belt and Road" initiative, Kunming has held special brand activities such as the China-India Yoga Festival, the Overseas Kunming Week, the China-Shanghai Cooperation Youth Exchange Center, and the historical brand building of Nanqiao Machine Workers.

        Since 2016, Kunming has held 4 international friendship city seminars and released the Kunming initiative. The International Sister Cities Tourism Cooperation Alliance, whose secretariat is located in Kunming, has started substantive work. In 2018, the Kunming International Commercial Arbitration Service Center was officially established, and signed a cooperation agreement with the Malaysian Commercial Arbitration Service Center and the Indian Bar Association. At present, our city is actively cooperating with the Provincial Friendship Association to strive for the establishment of the China-South Asia Cultural Forum in Kunming. In addition, iconic and functional international exchange windows such as "Kunming International Friendship Cities Pavilion" and "Kunming International Friendship Forest" are also under active preparation, which will become a window for citizens to understand and participate in Kunming's opening up and exchange work.