The 2014 China International Friendship Cities Conference and the 2nd Guangzhou International Urban Innovation Conference closed in the capital of Guangdong province on Saturday as a fruitful event that promotes the friendship and exchanges between China and the world.

The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Romanian Association of Cities signed a memorandum of understanding to the two organizations' cooperation.

Guangzhou, the host city for the two conferences this year, signed partnerships with the city of Pokhara in Nepal and Quito, the capital of Ecuador, which increased its total number of sister cities to 36.

Thus China has established 2,156 pairs of friendship provinces and cities with foreign counterparts by far.

Altogether 81 foreign cities and 38 Chinese cities received honors that commended their active performance in promoting friendship cities relationships between China and foreign countries.

The city of Guangzhou and the provinces of Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jiangsu and Sichuan were honored as those that have made "special contribution".

Yan Shiduo, former president of Chinese Football Association, also introduced an event in preparation that promotes football in 100 schools in 100 cities, an innovative initiative by the CPAFFC.

More than 600 guests from 56 countries and regions attended the two conferences and discussed on two hot issues, "Urbanization and Smart City" and "Silk Road and Cooperation between Local Governments".

The 2nd Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation (Guangzhou Award) ran simultaneously with the two conferences. Altogether 259 projects in 177 cities of 57 countries and regions competed for the award this year. The five winners were announced on Friday.

Xie Yuan, vice-president of the CPAFFC, said at the closing ceremony on Saturday that all the participating projects well reflect the cities’ characteristics and set inspiring examples for urban development.

The next China International Friendship Cities Conference will be hosted by Shandong province in 2016.

xujingxi@chinadaily.com.cn