Xiamen officials and business representatives were invited to attend the 2017 BRICS Friendship Cities and Local Governments Cooperation Forum held in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, from July 11 to 13.

The forum gathered about 200 guests, including ministers, governors, mayors, experts, scholars and business people from BRICS countries.

The guests participated in discussions on topics such as "City Internationalization" and "Education Exchange” under the theme "Interconnected Development, Joint Innovation and Shared Benefits".

Li Xiaoping, director of Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Xiamen Municipal Government, delivered a speech on "City Internationalization". Xiamen Port Holding Group Co, Xiamen Association of Women Entrepreneurs also sent delegates to the forum.

The forum provides an important platform for local governments from BRICS countries to establish sister city ties, share experiences and promote cooperation.

The newly introduced "Chengdu Initiative" was announced at the forum. Under the initiative, friendship cities and local governments from BRICS countries will take advantage of resources and enhance international exchange and cooperation in key sectors such as culture, economy and trade, tourism and technology.

China has established more than 10 sister city ties with other BRICS countries per year since the forum was launched in 2011. The forum has contributed to the increasing people-to-people and cultural exchanges between BRICS countries, according to Li Xiaolin, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

A delegate addresses the 2017 BRICS Friendship Cities and Local Governments Cooperation Forum held in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, from July 11 to 13. [Photo/xmfo.gov.cn]

Wang Jiarui, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2017 BRICS Friendship Cities and Local Governments Cooperation Forum in Chengdu on July 11, 2017. [Photo/xmfo.gov.cn]