Yantai signs a friendly cooperation agreement with Buyeo-gun in South Korea and a sister city agreement with Kingston, Jamaica on Oct 16 in Jinan, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A delegation from Yantai attended the 2019 Shandong International Friendship Cities Conference for Cooperation and Development in Jinan, capital of East China's Shandong province, on Oct 16.

The event welcomed over 880 representatives from 33 countries and regions to work toward strengthening exchange and cooperation.

Yantai Mayor Chen Fei and Deputy Mayor Li Chaohui attended the conference.

Yantai signed a friendly cooperation agreement with Buyeo-gun, South Korea and a sister city agreement with Kingston, Jamaica.

In 1985, San Diego in the United States became Yantai’s first sister city. Now, it has ties with 29 cities from 16 countries.

Jamaica, located in the northwestern Caribbean, is an important partner involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. Yantai and Kingston will deepen cooperation in deep-sea fishing, deep processing of aquatic products and sea water desalination.

Buyeo-gun is a traditional agricultural and tourist city in South Korea and has great potential for cooperation with Yantai in agriculture and sightseeing. The relationship will play a positive role in promoting the construction of the Sino-Korea (Yantai) Industrial Park.

The establishment of international sister city relations has helped Yantai further reform and open up.

According to statistics, the city has held nearly 100 exhibitions, promotional meetings and investment conferences in its sister cities.