Peng Qinghua, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, addressed the 2024 China International Friendship Cities Conference on Nov 18 in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan province.

Peng said the Chinese government attaches great importance to the fundamental role of international friendship cities in promoting sub-national cooperation, and enhancing friendship and mutual learning between civilizations.

He also expressed hope that the international friendship cities will seize the opportunities presented by opening-up and cooperation, drive innovative development and launch cooperation projects that benefit the people in the modernization process, so as to contribute to global peace, stability and prosperity.

With the theme of "common prosperity, shared future", the conference was co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the China Association for International Friendship Contact and the People's Government of Yunnan Province. More than 700 people, including local government representatives from 41 countries across five continents, attended the event.