The United Cities and Local Governments hosts an election meeting in Durban, South Africa from Nov 13 to 15. [Photo/zgyww.cn]

Yiwu, a city in Zhejiang province, was elected a member of the World Council and Executive Bureau of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) along with nine other Chinese cities during a meeting in Durban, South Africa, on Nov 15. The appointment will last until 2022.

The Durban meeting attracted over 3,000 representatives from over 100 countries and regions. During the event, 342 members were elected to take up seats in the World Council and 116 members were elected to become members of the Executive Bureau.

The appointment means that Yiwu, who joined the organization in 2017, will have more influence and authority within the UCLG, which will increase the city's international presence and bring in governmental resources from around the world.

The UCLG has enrolled over 1,000 member cities from 140 countries since it was established in Paris in 2004.

Its Executive Bureau is responsible for putting forward proposals and carrying out the decisions of the World Council. It is also in charge of the organization's administrative and financial management.

During the meeting, representatives from Yiwu interacted with delegations from Spain, France, Germany, Russia, and Brazil in an effort to further economic and culture exchange with those countries.