A number of foreign delegations recently paid visits to Karamay city, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region, and were received by Karamay mayor Zhang Hongyan on?April 26. The visiting foreign delegations were from cities of Iskitim and Novosibirsk in Russia and Gwadar from Pakistan.

History of friendship between Iskitim and Karamay

Iskitim and Karamay established friendly relations in 2010. The Russian guests' visit to Karamay this time was to attend the activities celebrating the 5th anniversary of the friendship.

“The two cities have been cooperating in public service and social welfare. In the future, I hope we can enhance cooperation in economy and trade,” said the mayor of Iskitim at the meeting.

He also invited Zhang Hongyan to attend Iskitim's city day celebration to be held in August.

“Iskitim is Karamay's old friend. May the friendship between Iskitim and Karamay last forever,” said Zhang after accepting the invitation.

Call for Novosibirsk companies to invest in Karamay

Novosibirsk has sent delegations to Karamay for several times to seek cooperative opportunities. The two sides have been working closely in logistics and Russian language learning over the last five years.

The Novosibirsk delegation, led by its deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, visited Karamay for possible cooperation in catering industry.

“It's a good idea to open some Russian-style restaurants in Karamay. It can help Xinjiang people know more about Russian culinary culture as well as make Russian people working here feel at home,” Zhang said. “Actually we welcome Novosibirsk companies in various fields to invest in Karamay to enhance our mutual communication and cooperation,” she added.

Karamay Mayor Zhang Hongyan (R) presents a gift to delegates from Russia's Novosibirsk in Karamay, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on?April 26. [Photo/epaper.kelamayi.com.cn]

Cooperation between Karamay and Gwadar

When meeting delegates from Pakistan's Gwadar, Zhang focused on the cooperation in the fields of petroleum, petrochemicals, natural gas and infrastructure.

Karamay is on the way to developing into one of the oil centers in Central Asia while Gwadar is located in a strategic point along the key petroleum transportation routes. Zhang pointed out that cooperation between the two holds great significance since it will promote the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Zhang also invited Gwadar officials to attend the upcoming China (Karamay) International Petroleum and Petrochemical Technology and Equipment Exhibition to be held in September.

Karamay mayor Zhang Hongyan (R) meets a representative of Gwadar, city, Pakistan, in Karamay, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on?April 26. [Photo/epaper.kelamayi.com.cn]

Edited by Mevlut Katik