Sister cities Shanghai and Milan sign up for closer cooperation

Shanghai and Milan signed a series of agreements for further cooperation in Milan, as a part of the five-day Shanghai Week at the Milan Expo.

One agreement was inked between the governments of the cities on future cooperation and there were also deals linking Chinese and Italian companies - China's Union Pay International and Italy's Cartasi S.p.A as well as Shanghai East Radio Center and Radio Globla of Italy.

The signing ceremony was followed by a forum on Shanghai Milan cooperation, which was attended by about 200 industry experts. Many Chinese and Italian businesses, as well as young artists and designers also gave speeches.

Shanghai and Milan have been sister cities since 1979 and have since cooperated closely in economic, cultural and other fields. Shanghai as host of the 2010 Expo shared many of its experiences with Milan, this year's host.

Shanghai Week stages many cultural activities and provides an opportunity for companies to discuss commercial relationships.

A fashion show of 500 models wearing qipao, the Chinese traditional dress, surprised viewers and a dedicated Sino-Italian Center, called City Pavilion, was launched on Wednesday.

"Cooperation between Shanghai and Milan is long standing as we have lots of exchanges and visits between the two cities, in fields including the food and fashion industries," said Christina Tajani, deputy mayor of Milan. "We hope the two sides can increase political and commercial cooperation, using Expo as a platform and opportunity to push forward further cooperation".

Li Yiping, secretary general of Shanghai Municipal Government, said Shanghai and Milan have had deep exchanges and cooperation in economic and cultural fields over the years.

"Shanghai is glad to participate in the process of helping organize the Milan Expo, and we are glad to contribute a series of promotional activities during the Milan Expo to promote Shanghai," Li said.

Riccardo Monti, president of the Italian Trade Commission, said he hopes there will be many more commercial cooperations between Shanghai and Milan, as the two cities have very strong friendship and cultural inclusiveness.

"We have many opportunities to cooperate in the agricultural and fashion industries. Shanghai's consumers are also becoming increasingly sophisticated, and this opens up a market for Italian companies," he said.

Wu Hongbo, under secretary-general of the United Nations, said sustainable urban development is an important topic globally and he hopes Shanghai and Milan, as two Expo hosts, would be able to contribute more towards sustainable development.

He said that his team had helped Shanghai develop Shanghai Manual, a guideline for sustainable urban development, and this manual has many important messages that other countries can learn from.

"Shanghai, the host of the last expo, and Milan, our host this year, are sister cities. I encourage you to continue this connection and engage in ongoing knowledge and exchange, in terms of best practice, sustainable urban development, cultural exchanges and wide ranging activities," Wu said.