Chongqing - In recent years, Chongqing has seized the opportunity to accelerate building the city into a Hub for International Exchanges in Central and Western China, continuously integrating and expanding foreign affairs resources.

The city has increased efforts to invite foreign entities and expand its presence globally. As a result, Chongqing's international network has grown, fostering broader exchanges with sister cities, solidifying partnerships, and paving the way for a wider path of friendship.

Situated in central Norway, Trøndelag County, with its capital at Trondheim, is a beacon of agriculture, fishing, shipping, and manufacturing development. The region is renowned for pioneering wind energy utilization advancements and dedicates significant attention to fostering cultural and sports development. In a historic move in 2018, Nord-Trøndelag and Sør-Trøndelag were amalgamated to form the unified Trøndelag.

The Scenery of Norway's Trøndelag County. (Photo/Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government)

The establishment of a friendly city-county relationship between Chongqing and Trøndelag County on June 14, 2007, marked the beginning of a fruitful liaison. Reflecting on nearly two decades of engagement, the partnership has been characterized by dynamic cooperation across various domains, including environmental protection, trade and economics, education, humanities, and technology.

In a significant event in October 2005, a delegation from Sør-Trøndelag visited Chongqing to participate in the 5th Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors' Forum. This visit culminated in the signing of a friendly cooperation agreement between Chongqing and Sør-Trøndelag, solidifying their commitment to enhancing exchanges and collaborative efforts in key areas such as trade, technology, environmental protection, and education.

The Scenery of Norway's Trøndelag County. (Photo/Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government)

March 2006 saw a delegation from Chongqing venture to Sør-Trøndelag, delving into extensive dialogues on collaborative initiatives in energy conservation, environmental protection, urban traffic management, and educational technology.

The bilateral focus on environmental stewardship was further emphasized in June 2006 when a Sør-Trøndelag environmental protection delegation visited Chongqing. This visit featured the "Norwegian-Chongqing Environmental Industry Cooperation Seminar," leading to the signing of an environmental cooperation framework agreement between the Chongqing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau (now) and a Norwegian environmental protection company.

A pivotal moment in the educational collaboration came in March 2007, as Chongqing University and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology inked an agreement to co-develop doctoral talents. This agreement underscored a shared vision for academic and student exchanges, joint research endeavors, and concerted studies in strategic sectors such as engineering, materials science, and environmental protection.

A friendship concert was performed at the Chongqing Grand Theater. (Photo/Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government)

Further solidifying their partnership, a delegation from Sør-Trøndelag revisited Chongqing in June 2007, signing a twinning agreement to bolster trade, education, and natural gas utilization collaborations.

In another significant interaction, a Chongqing delegation, organized by the Chongqing Municipal Science and Technology Bureau (now), attended the "Technology Port Festival" in Trondheim in October 2007. This participation aimed at exploring joint ventures in technology, energy, and environmental conservation.

Educational exchanges continued flourishing in March 2008 when the High School Affiliated to Southwest University established an inter-school cooperation agreement with Byåsen Upper Secondary School and Trondheim Katedralskole Secondary School.

April 2008 featured a Sør-Trøndelag delegation at a high-tech fair in Chongqing, promoting their county and exploring potential collaborations in sewage treatment and liquefied natural gas storage with Chongqing University.

The "Norway Day" in 2010, hosted by a substantial delegation from Sør-Trøndelag in Chongqing, further celebrated this international friendship.

In January 2023, Chongqing No. 1 Secondary School and Trondheim Cathedral School forged a sister school relationship, commemorating the 15th anniversary of the enduring friendship between Chongqing and Trøndelag County.

In a testament to the ongoing partnership, a Chongqing delegation visited Trøndelag County in October 2023, continuing the narrative of mutual respect and cooperative success.

Source: Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government