Since Tianjin in China and Kobe City in Japan became the first
international sister cities for China (also known as friend or twin
cities), over 250 Chinese cities and provinces have established
nearly 1,200 twin cities with more than 800 foreign cities from
over 100 countries. According to the goal of Chinese people's
Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and China
International Friendship Cities Association, China will have
established 1,500 international city twins by 2010.
Today, China is advancing triumphantly along its road of
urbanization. China Association of Mayors pointed out that in the
next 50 years, China's urbanized areas will have reached 76 percent
of the country from 36 percent today, with the capability to
accommodate 1.1-1.2 billion people. By then, the cities will have
contributed over 95 percent of its national economic income.
Currently, 70 percent of Chinese GDP and industrial output value,
and 80 percent of the tax revenue come from the cities.
Are there too many cities in China? Chen Weibang, vice director of
the Chinese Society for Urban Studies, gave his view that the
primary shortage in China today is the city as there are still many
problems to face in the contradictions between the urban and rural
divide, the farming issue, between rich and poor, and so on.
With the development of China's economy and rapid globalization,
going abroad to seek cooperation is a worldwide trend. The
international twin cities in China increased by an annual average
of 41 pairs since the 1980s, reaching an annual average of 70 pairs
since Deng Xiaoping's remarks on reform during his southern China
tour in 1992. In 1994, China matched 94 pairs. By the end of 1999,
30 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities as well as 228
cities had established 939 twins with 211 provinces (prefectures,
and big regions) and 698 cities from 100 countries.
The twins' number was 1,012 by the end of 2000 and reached 1,100 by
September 2002.
Increasingly Chinese cities are interested in this and go outside
to find partners. According to government regulations, cities at
vice provincial level may match a total of 15 sister cities.
How do cities become twins? Different friendship cities enjoy
different characteristics. Some are based on common geographical
positions such as latitude or longitude; some have similar city
development; some are simply because of trade and business
cooperation and need, while others result from touching
stories.
Chen Haosu, vice president of the Chinese People's Association for
Friendship with Foreign Countries, said that the organization would
help more cities in west China to establish pairing with foreign
cities in the years to come.
(China.org.cn by Li Xiao June 12, 2003)