Sister cities and local governments worldwide are being called on to strengthen solidarity and mutual support and deepen exchanges and cooperation to build a community with a shared future for cities and mankind.

Over 700 representatives from 41 countries launched the Kunming Initiative at the closing ceremony of the China International Friendship Cities Conference in Kunming, Yunnan province, on Nov 19.

The initiative urges sister cities worldwide to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, promote cultural exchanges and enhance mutual learning among civilizations, to strengthen connectivity and build a community of shared future for cities.

Additionally, the initiative encourages sister cities to establish platforms for exchanges and enhance mutual understanding and trust to jointly tackle global challenges and act as a peace force.

Yan Dong, vice president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries said the Kunming Initiative represents a significant consensus among all conference participants.

It reflects the global call for peaceful development and win-win cooperation, and demonstrates the willingness of sister cities in China and around the world to deepen their exchanges and collaborations to build a brighter future, said Yan.

Anouphab Tounalom, party secretary of Vientiane and president of the Vientiane People's Council of Laos underscored the importance of cooperation among local governments. It takes action at the local level to realize the deepening of bilateral collaboration, he said.

Kevin Naidoo, deputy director general for policy, governance and administration at the Department of Cooperative Governance of South Africa said, "It's very important to have collaboration so that we can learn from each other."

"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 is key to making the world a better place," he said.

At the closing ceremony, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the China International Friendship Cities Association honored 20 Chinese provinces and cities for their outstanding contributions to international sister city work. Additionally, 40 foreign provinces and cities were recognized for their active engagement in sister city exchanges with China.

They received the "International Friendship City Award for Outstanding Contribution" and the "Friendship City Award for Outstanding Partnership With China," respectively.

The closing ceremony also witnessed the establishment of new sister city ties between eight Chinese cities and provinces or states with their counterparts. To date, 3054 pairs of sister city ties have been formed between Chinese cities and provinces or states with their counterparts in 147 countries worldwide.

The China International Friendship Cities Conference, themed "Common prosperity and a shared future" was held on Nov 18-19. It was jointly hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the People's Government of Yunnan Province.