Hong Hupeng, mayor of Huzhou, meets Benoit Digeon, mayor of Montargis, on May 31. [Photo/WeChat account: huzhoufabu]

A government delegation headed by Hong Hupeng, mayor of Huzhou, visited Montargis, France, on May 31 in order to strengthen friendly relations.

In 2003, Huzhou and Montargis established friendly exchanges, and in February 2006, they officially became sister cities.

Over the past few decades, Huzhou and Montargis have achieved fruitful results in various fields through exchanges and cooperation.

Huzhou has set up sister-city relations or had friendly exchange relations with 39 cities in 19 countries since 1987, when Shimada in Japan became its first sister city.

During the meeting with Benoit Digeon, mayor of Montargis, Hong expressed hope that the two cities will expand bilateral cooperation in trade, environmental protection, culture, and education, among other areas, under the overall framework of the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership.

Similarly, Digeon also expressed his desire to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Huzhou in tourism, culture, education, and sports, among other areas.