HAIKOU /China/, March 14. /TASS/. The administrative center of the southern Chinese province of Hainan has become a sister city to 42 cities in 35 countries and regions of the world for the last 32 years, the Hainan Daily newspaper reported.

The newspaper's editorial wrote that expanding and deepening twin city relations in such areas as culture, education, economy, promotes diplomatic ties at the state level, makes the country more open to the rest of the world and contributes to socio-economic development. 

The first city Haikou has established sister city relations with was Darwin, Australia. The corresponding bilateral agreement was signed in September 1990. According to the newspaper, the relationship between the two cities has since taken on a new dimension. Over the years, the cities have cooperated closely in a variety of areas, including sports, education, cultural exchanges and more. In 2020, amid the spread of COVID-19, a shipment of humanitarian aid with disinfectants, medical gloves and other anti-epidemic supplies was sent from Haikou to Darwin.

Even in the midst of the pandemic, the newspaper says, Haikou was expanding its list of sister cities. The administrative center of Hainan established relations with the city of Quepos in Costa Rica with the agreement on the intention to establish town twinning relations signed online on November 4, 2020. Due to the spread of covid, the publication writes, the strength of cooperation between the twin cities has declined, but Haikou is constantly seeking new formats to maintain exchanges through various online channels, holding seminars and conferences to promote information among partners about building a free trade port in Hainan. In addition, English-language newsletters are sent to sister cities on a regular basis concerning new projects, changes in legislation, and opportunities for cooperation within the free trade port.

As for the entire province, Hainan cities are partnered up with more than 60 cities overseas.