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Participants of the 7th China-US Sister Cities Conference pose for a photo. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_dce4a5933cde]

Jiaxing in East China's Zhejiang province invited a delegation from Valparaiso, the United States, to attend the 7th China-US Sister Cities Conference, which took place in Hangzhou from Oct 25 to 27.

Led by Professors Troy Webdell and Meng Jianyun, the delegation visited Nanhu district for cultural exchanges and to renew friendship between Nanhu and Valparaiso, which established ties in 2013.

The delegation explored landmarks such as the Grand Canal Digital Poetry Road e-Station and the Zicheng Heritage Park. From ancient canal neighborhoods to vibrant art communities, the visitors experienced Jiaxing's rich cultural heritage and modern vitality. Immersive digital exhibits brought the Grand Canal's history to life, while discussions at art centers centered on blending local creativity with global perspectives.

In May 2010, a delegation from Valparaiso visited Nanhu to discuss establishing a friendly partnership. In June 2013, Nanhu sent a delegation to Valparaiso, where the two sides signed an agreement to develop friendly exchange relations. Since then, the two regions have engaged in frequent interactions in education, culture, and economic cooperation.

Beyond education, US-invested firms in Majiabang Health Food Town, baseball exchanges in Pinghu, and summer programs at the International Campus of Zhejiang University continue to enrich Jiaxing’s cross-cultural ties, advancing people-to-people friendship between China and the US.