Panels, keynote speeches, and discussions focused on climate-resilient and sustainable urban development. The Deputy Mayor was pleased to share best practices from Bonn and engage in fruitful exchange with participating cities.
German-Chinese exchange and German-Chinese City Summit:
Germany and China have maintained diplomatic relations since 1972 and enjoy a dynamic and multifaceted partnership. The commitment of both countries is crucial for tackling global challenges such as climate protection and biodiversity, as well as for the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
City partnerships between Germany and China play an important role in this context. Since the establishment of the first German-Chinese city partnership between Duisburg and Wuhan in 1982, cities and provinces from both countries have established more than a hundred partnerships. These partnerships provide impetus for urban development in the participating municipalities and offer a framework for addressing global challenges through local action. At a time when urban spaces are shaping globalization, such partnerships offer innovative ways to achieve inclusive and sustainable urban development.
The German-Chinese City Summit is organized by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) GmbH, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), and the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Frankfurt am Main.
The event is part of the Urban Act project, which GIZ is implementing as part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK). This project aims to promote low-carbon and resilient urban development in selected Asian partner countries as a contribution to achieving national climate protection goals.
Bonn-Chengdu Project Partnership
Bonn has maintained project-related contacts with Chengdu, China since 2000. Chengdu is the capital of the Chinese province of Sichuan. With a population of around 21 million, the city in western China is, alongside Chongqing, the economic center of western China.
The framework for this exchange is provided by a partnership between the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and Sichuan. Starting with intensive cultural exchanges between the two cities, cooperation has gradually been expanded to various areas.
In a memorandum of understanding signed in 2009, the two cities committed themselves to continuing to maintain official relations in the future with the aim of promoting sustainable development in both cities in the areas of economy, culture, technology, education, tourism, municipal development, and environmental protection. Last year, the 15th anniversary of the signing was celebrated with joint events in both Bonn and Chengdu.