Opening Wednesday in the China International Exhibition Centre, the 2000 China International Friendship Cities Exchange Exhibition and Trade Fair revealed the development of China's urban areas since China launched twin city activities in 1973.

Qi Huaiyuan, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said at the opening ceremony that with China's reform and opening up, its international activities promoting friendship between cities has developed constantly.

"Extensive and concrete co-operation is apparent in diverse sectors including science, technology, urban construction, environmental protection, transportation, agriculture, medical services and education,'' he said.

Highly praising the relationships between people in China and the citizens of other lands and the success of non-governmental foreign trade, Yu Xiaosong, president of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said that the exhibition will help explore more opportunities for international exchanges and co-operation.

"It will push forward the opening of Chinese cities and accelerate China's social and economic development,'' Yu said.

China's first sister-city relationship was forged between the port city of Tianjin in North China and the Japanese city of Kobe nearly three decades ago.

By the end of 1999, 30 Chinese provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities and 228 cities have been twinned with 211 provinces and states and 698 cities in foreign countries.

During the exhibition, which will run until October 1, there will be lectures on the role of local government and the mutual economic development of twin cities and nine trade talks covering environmental protection, international financing and investment, high technology and the auctioning of websites in China.

The trade fair, in an effort to provide business opportunities for participating cities, will auction more than 100 websites, which will be a highlight of the event.

(By Hu QiHua, China Daily staff)