26th China-Japan-ROK Friendship Cities Exchange Conference To Be Held in Yancheng, China

YANCHENG, China, Oct. 13, 2025 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

The 26th China-Japan-ROK Friendship Cities Exchange Conference is set to take place in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province, China, from October 15 to 16. Themed “Local Cooperation for Shared Prosperity, Openness and Inclusiveness for Development,” this conference continues the tradition established in 1999, rotating annually among the three countries. It brings together representatives from local governments, business institutions, and various sectors to explore new opportunities for cooperation.

Yancheng’s ties with Japan have deep historical roots, dating back over a millennium. During the Tang Dynasty, Japanese envoys such as Ono no Iwane and Abe no Nakamaro landed here on their way to Chang’an. Designated as one of China’s coastal open cities in 1988, Yancheng has regarded Japan as a crucial partner in its opening-up efforts. To date, the city has welcomed more than 200 Japanese investment projects by companies such as Toshiba, Mitsubishi, and Lawson, and has forged strong partnerships with major companies such as ITOCHU and Toyota, which demonstrates robust industrial complementarity.

Bound by a narrow strip of water, Yancheng and Japan both lie along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway — a vital lifeline for migratory birds — and share a common mission to protect biodiversity. The crested ibis has become a symbol of friendship between the two nations. In 1999, China presented two ibises, “Yangyang” and “Youyou,” to Japan as national gifts to support the restoration of the species there. In 2023, Yancheng successfully released 20 ibises into the wild, marking a new milestone in conservation. Through the World Coastal Forum 2025 Conference, Yancheng aims to collaborate with coastal cities in Japan and beyond to translate the Yancheng Initiative of the World Coastal Wetland Cities Mayors’ Roundtable into concrete actions.

So far, Yancheng has established friendly exchange and cooperation ties with Japanese cities including Kashima and Sado. Regular high-level visits and exchanges have continued to deepen mutual understanding. For eight consecutive years, Yancheng and Kawasaki have exchanged delegations at environmental expos, strengthening collaboration in environmental technologies. Supported by four national-level open platforms, Yancheng is actively expanding channels for cooperation with Japan. Notably, short-sea container routes now link Yancheng Port directly to Osaka. Additionally, Yancheng’s cultural influence is on the rise, with traditional Huai opera performances captivating audiences in Fukuoka, and intangible cultural heritage such as porcelain carving, willow weaving, salt sculpture, and Huai folk songs receiving acclaim at the 2025 Osaka Expo.

This year’s conference will introduce new features, including experience-sharing sessions among Chinese and Japanese sister cities and city dialogue activities, injecting fresh energy into cooperation among Northeast Asian cities.

Source: The 26th China-Japan-ROK Friendship Cities Exchange Conference