Officials pose for a group photo in Tianjin. [Photo/WeChat account: tj_swb]

Officials from eight of Beijing's international sister cities visited Tianjin on Nov 5, where they explored the city's development achievements and opportunities for international cooperation.

The delegation included representatives from government departments in Bangkok, Brussels, Kuala Lumpur, Moscow, Paris, Phnom Penh, Seoul, and Ulaanbaatar. Among them, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Seoul, and Ulaanbaatar also have sister-city ties with Tianjin.

Luan Jianzhang, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Tianjin Municipal People's Government, met with the delegation and highlighted the city's strengths in transportation, port operations, education, science, and traditional Chinese medicine. He also called for closer cooperation between Beijing and Tianjin to share international sister-city resources and foster regional collaboration.

During their visit, the delegates explored Tianjin's urban planning at the Tianjin Planning Exhibition Hall, took in the historic architecture of the Five Great Avenues, and learned how industrial heritage is being integrated with modern commerce at Jinyi Park. At the BYD science museum, they also showed keen interest in China's latest automotive technologies and global market presence.

The visit focused on megacity governance, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development, technological innovation, and green, low-carbon development, creating opportunities to deepen international exchanges and cooperation.