Tianjin's urban skyline at night. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Touching daily lives

The Tianjin-Kobe relationship goes beyond diplomatic exchanges, touching the daily lives of people, especially the youth, and fostering a deeper cultural understanding. This has laid the groundwork for a future built on mutual respect and shared interests.

Yukako Ooka, now with the Beijing office of the Japan Foundation, recalled: "As part of joint Sino-Japanese conservation research efforts, the giant panda Dan Dan arrived at Kobe Oji Zoo on July 16, 2000, sparking fascination among the local community for this adorable creature. Later, the arrival of a pair of golden snub-nosed monkeys from Tianjin Zoo further delighted Kobe residents."

Ooka has actively promoted exchanges between the two cities for the past 25 years. Last year, she helped organize the Kobe City and China photo exhibition, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Tianjin-Kobe friendship.

"Traditional friendship city relationships were often seen as 'dots and lines' connecting citizens or specific fields. However, with the rise of social media, these connections have evolved into more comprehensive relationships, enabling collaboration across multiple sectors," she said.

"I believe we should continue creating opportunities for collaboration between the 'Kobe Spirit' and the 'Tianjin Spirit', enhancing the appeal of both cities and countries in a mutually beneficial way."

With these remarkable outcomes, Tianjin and Kobe have established a new model of collaboration between local governments in China and Japan, experts said.

"Tianjin and Kobe, as the representatives of Sino-Japanese friendship cities, have set a good example of collaboration," Xiu Gang, former president of Tianjin Foreign Studies University, said. "This not only reflects friendly exchanges among people in the two cities, but also points out an important path for promoting mutual understanding between China and Japan."

Given the current challenges in China-Japan relations, it is essential that both countries cultivate a peaceful and friendly strategic relationship that transcends sociopolitical differences and ideological divides, he said.

Luan said the enduring bond between Tianjin and Kobe fully demonstrates the power of international collaboration and mutual respect.

As both cities continue to innovate and grow, their partnership sets an example for other cities worldwide, demonstrating that cooperation and understanding can pave the way for a brighter, more sustainable future.

Yang Cheng in Tianjin contributed to this story.