In light of the upcoming Chinese New Year, mayors of Nantong's sister cities, including Swansea in the United Kingdom, Toyohashi-shi in Japan, and Vacoas-Phoenix in Mauritius, as well as the city's international friends, have recorded video greetings for the Chinese city.

In 1987, Swansea became Nantong's first international sister city. Nantong has since established sister-city relations with 26 cities in other countries.