Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong met his Rotterdam counterpart, Ahmed Aboutaleb, and a delegation from the Dutch city, on Wednesday. They oversaw the signing of a three-year cooperation agreement between the two cities.

Ying said the two countries' relationship developed well in recent years and Shanghai and Rotterdam have enjoyed fruitful cooperation since they became sister cities in 1979. Rotterdam has most exchanges with Shanghai than other foreign sister cities.

He noted that Shanghai is leading the country in free trade and globalization. The China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone is the springboard for Chinese companies to invest in Belt and Road countries.

The mayor said Shanghai will deepen cooperation with Rotterdam in economy, trade, science and technology, health, water management, culture, urban planning, and social management.

Aboutaleb said Rotterdam treats Shanghai as its most important friend. The two cities have cooperated effectively in many areas. Rotterdam wants to learn from Shanghai's practices and overcome common challenges.

Anna Adema, the Dutch consul general in Shanghai, also joined the meeting.

Source:china-shftz.gov.cn