The 9th Wuxi International Sister Cities Forum opens on Oct 24, inviting a number of representatives from sister cities to meet for discussions in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province. [Photo/wxrb.com]

The 9th Wuxi International Sister Cities Forum opened on Oct 24, inviting a number of representatives from sister cities to meet for discussions in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province.

Wuxi has forged 49 sister city relationships and 70 friendly exchange city relationships in 28 countries around the world. The annual forum was first held in 2005, aiming to promote cooperation on economy, trade, education, culture, health, environmental protection and tourism between sister cities.

Li Xiaomin, Party secretary of Wuxi and Xie Yuan, deputy chairman of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, welcomed the delegation on Oct 23.

Li?expressed gratitude to the participants for their efforts to promote exchanges and cooperation with Wuxi. He also briefly introduced the city'economic and social development.

Li said that since this year marks the 40 year's anniversary of China's reform and opening up, Wuxi has attached great importance to strengthening the bonds with sister cities and deepening cooperation and communication with each other.

Andy Berke, mayor of Chattanooga, Tennessee, the United States, spoke highly of Wuxi during the forum. "Wuxi is an open-minded, creative and active city which also has great potential. I'm glad to come here for communication and exchanges to deepen our relationships."