Shanxi expands international cooperation, exchanges

North China's Shanxi province has made efforts to expand its external channels, build more platforms for communication, and consolidate and expand areas of international cooperation in recent years. 

The Foreign Affairs Office of Shanxi Provincial Government has invited and received foreign heads of state, dignitaries, and diplomats to attend major events in Shanxi which showcase the province's unique advantages and development achievements to the world and promote pragmatic cooperation. 

The office has developed friendly relations with international partner cities and partners with strong complementarity and cooperation potential. Through activities such as organizing exchanges and dialogues with international partner cities, Shanxi has deepened cooperation in the fields of energy, technology, medicine, culture, and tourism with these cities. 

So far, the province has established sister city relationships with 63 local governments in 30 countries and friendly cooperation partnerships with 131 local governments in 53 countries. 

The office has also encouraged and supported various departments, sectors, and enterprises to deepen international exchanges and cooperation, helping them go global. 

In 2023 alone, it has obtained more than 2,800 APEC business travel cards for over 300 companies. It has also secured the authority to issue additional certification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which triples the speed of consular authentication processing and halves the costs.