On June 17, during the second China-Central Asia Summit, Shaanxi Province officially signed agreements to establish friendly provincial-state relations with the Ahal Region of Turkmenistan, the Sughd Region of Tajikistan, the Almaty Region of Kazakhstan, and the Turkestan Region of Kazakhstan. To date, Shaanxi has established 120 international sister cities, spanning 41 countries across five continents worldwide.

The latest international sister cities of Shaanxi

The Ahal Region in Turkmenistan is known for its traditional agriculture and animal husbandry. It is particularly famous for its white wheat and Akhal-Teke horses. This region is rich in energy and mineral resources, presenting opportunities for collaboration in agriculture and energy with Shaanxi Province. The Almaty Region benefits from a prime geographical location, allowing for enhanced international logistics channels in the future. The Turkestan Region has a well-developed agricultural sector, while the Sughd Region produces a diverse array of crops. Both regions boast rich historical and cultural heritages, as well as abundant tourism resources. They can work together with Shaanxi in areas such as agriculture, cultural tourism, and more.

In June, Shaanxi established several new international connections in Central Asia. On June 2, during the second China-Uzbekistan Local Cooperation Forum held in Samarkand, Shaanxi formalized relationships with two new sister cities. Weinan City signed agreements with Kushrabad District in the Samarkand Region, and Yulin City partnered with Kuyichirchik District in the Tashkent Region to foster friendly urban and district relations.

Weinan City and Kushrabad District have a strong agricultural foundation, having previously signed a memorandum of cooperation between Weinan Vocational and Technical College and Samarkand University of Agricultural Innovation and Research last April. The two sides plan to engage in long-term cooperation focusing on agricultural technology training.

Yulin City is known for its advanced industrial technology, while Kuyichirchik District boasts rich resources in the energy chemical and agricultural industries. The two sides aim to collaborate intensively in areas such as energy chemical, modern agriculture, light textile manufacturing, and cultural education, to achieve mutual benefits and win-win outcomes.

International sister cities serve as vital connections for fostering friendly exchanges and interactions among localities across different countries. Since the establishment of the first pair of international sister cities between Xi'an City in China and Nara City in Japan in 1974, Shaanxi has focused on several areas, including economy and trade, industry, education, cultural tourism, and agriculture. This emphasis has led to the formation of sister city partnerships on all five continents.

Especially since the China-Central Asia Summit in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province has further expanded its network of friends in Central Asia. It has now established 20 pairs of sister provinces/regions and sister cities with Central Asian countries, achieving full coverage of provincial-level friendships with all five Central Asian nations.