Chongqing — The Chongqing International Friendship Cities Cooperation Conference 2026 was held in Southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, bringing together officials, city representatives, and delegates from 38 cities across 29 countries to discuss cooperation in trade, technology, education, culture, and sustainable development.
Held in Chongqing’s Yuzhong District, the conference unveiled 22 new cooperation outcomes, including friendship-city partnerships, sector-specific projects, cooperation mechanisms, and future collaboration initiatives.
The Chongqing International Friendship Cities Cooperation Conference 2026 opened in Chongqing’s Yuzhong district in Southwest China on May 20. (Photo/iChongqing)
During the conference, Chongqing officials highlighted the municipality’s continued economic growth and expanding international engagement. According to Chongqing Vice Mayor Zheng Xiangdong, last year Chongqing’s economy exceeded 3.38 trillion, with per capita GDP surpassing the 100,000-yuan mark.
Officials also noted that Chongqing has built an extensive international network through friendship-city ties and exchange partnerships with cities and regions worldwide.
Representatives from international friendship organizations, diplomats, multinational companies and business associations attended the event alongside overseas government delegations.
David Carter, former speaker of the New Zealand Parliament, said his first visit to Chongqing left a strong impression due to the city’s scale, infrastructure and urban development.
“As we were driven around the city, we got a feel for the vibrancy, the quality and the sophistication of the infrastructure,” Carter said. “It is obviously a huge city, but it also feels very functional and modern.”
He said Chongqing deserves greater recognition among New Zealand businesses and organizations interested in cooperation with China.
David Carter, former speaker of the New Zealand Parliament. (Photo/Natalia Vakhrusheva)
“Many people in New Zealand are more familiar with cities like Beijing and Shanghai,” he said. “But Chongqing is one of the largest cities in the world and has enormous potential for deeper cooperation.”
Carter pointed to opportunities in agriculture, trade, scientific research and climate-related technologies, adding that international cooperation between researchers could help accelerate solutions for sustainable food production and emissions reduction.
He also emphasized the importance of strengthening exchanges between younger generations through education, tourism, sports and cultural programs. Carter said he plans to bring 18 students from two colleges in Christchurch to China next month as part of an exchange initiative.
Among the international guests was Gecíola Fonseca Torres, Secretary of Culture for Ceará State in Brazil, who said Ceará and Chongqing share complementary advantages in logistics, innovation, culture and economic development.
According to Torres, Ceará hopes to deepen cooperation with Chongqing in areas including renewable energy, digital connectivity, creative industries, logistics and sustainable development.
She said Ceará already maintains active cooperation with China in trade, infrastructure, energy, and investment, and now aims to further strengthen partnerships in education, innovation, and the creative economy.
Torres also highlighted the importance of educational and media cooperation, saying that exchanges among students, researchers, creative professionals, and cultural institutions could help strengthen long-term ties between Brazil and China.
She added that joint media and audiovisual projects could foster better mutual understanding among people from different countries by sharing local stories, cultures, and social realities.
The conference reflected Chongqing’s continuing efforts to strengthen international city-to-city cooperation and expand practical partnerships across multiple sectors. Delegates discussed opportunities ranging from economic collaboration and technological innovation to youth exchanges and cultural communication, underscoring the growing role of friendship-city platforms in international engagement.