Chongqing - In recent years, Chongqing has seized the opportunity to accelerate building the city into a Center 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.

On November 22, 2023, Chongqing Municipality and Laos' Champasak Province signed a "Sister City Relationship Agreement," making Champasak Province Chongqing's "youngest" sister city to date.

Champasak Province's Wat Phu temple is a designated world cultural heritage site. (Photo/Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government)

Champasak Province, located in the southwest of Laos, borders Thailand and Cambodia, with its capital in Pakse. The Mekong River flows from north to south through the province. Known for its abundant agricultural resources, the province is a key area for tropical economic crop cultivation and livestock farming in southern Laos. It boasts numerous historical sites and rich natural and cultural resources, including the world cultural heritage site Wat Phu temple, showcasing enormous potential for tourism development.

On December 3, 2018, Chongqing Municipality and Champasak Province jointly signed a "Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing Friendly Cooperation Relationship between Chongqing Municipality, People's Republic of China, and Champasak Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic" in Pakse, Champasak Province, both agreed to establish formal friendly city-province relations timely.

In March 2021, a video conference on friendly exchanges and cooperation between Chongqing Municipality, China, and Champasak Province, Laos, was held. During the conference, relevant departments from both sides reached a broad consensus on pragmatic cooperation in various fields such as economy, trade, and culture.

China Chongqing Municipality—Laos Champasak Province Friendly Exchange and Cooperation Video Conference. (Photo/Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government)

In November 2023, the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Governor of Champasak Province led a delegation to Chongqing to attend the Sichuan-Chongqing Region of China and Mekong Countries Sub-National Cooperation Forum. On November 22, the two sides signed an agreement to establish a sister-city relationship.

Both sides are actively exploring comprehensive exchanges and cooperation in various fields, such as enhancing transportation logistics, economic and trade investment, agricultural technology, and vocational education.

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