The Shaoxing government recently announced that the city will forge friendly relations with three foreign cities, Gabrovo in Bulgaria, Manila in the Philippines, and Ipiales in Colombia.

Gabrovo is an industrial city in north-central Bulgaria and the capital of Gabrovo province, located at a strategic transportation junction from the Danube River through the Shipka Pass to Kazanlak and Srednogorie.

Manila, situated on both banks of the Pasig River, is the capital and largest port city of the Philippines. It lies on the eastern shore of Manila Bay, adjacent to the natural harbor of Manila Bay, on the largest island of the Philippines, Luzon Island.

Ipiales is a border city in southwestern Colombia, located on the banks of the Carchi River, surrounded by nearby volcanoes, earning it the nickname "city of three volcanoes."

According to the Shaoxing municipal foreign affairs office, Shaoxing has had a long-standing commitment to international friendship cities since 1983, having established friendly relations with 54 cities in 27 countries.

With the addition of these three cities, Shaoxing will have 57 foreign cities as friendly partners, forming a global network of international friendship cities.