The signing ceremony was held in Beijing Wednesday afternoon during the three-day the 2000 China International Friendship Cities Conference.

Sister-provinces or sister-cities include Russia, Italy, the Republic of Korea, South Africa and the United States and China's provinces and cities in coastal and inland regions.

President Qi Huaiyuan of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries said that the establishment of friendly relations marks the first step toward seeking common prosperity and development.

To date, 30 Chinese provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and nearly 300 cities have 970 sister-city or sister-province links with their foreign counterparts in more than 100 countries.

(Xinhua)