Nanyang has had its international sister–city programs established since the 1980s. Up until now, Nanyang has built sister–city relationships with four cities, and carries out friendly cooperation with three cities, and friendly communication with many other cities.

(I) Sister Cities

1. Nan'yō, Japan

Nan'yō was established on April 1, 1967 by the merger of the then towns of Miyauchi and Akayu with the village of Wagō. It is the youngest city of the Yamagata prefecture. Its name comes from China's Nanyang. On Oct 6, 1988, Nanyang in China and Nan'yō in Japan became sister cities.

2. Kiryat Gat, Israel

On Oct 20, 1992, the then mayor of Gat expressed his hope of establishing a sister-city relationship with Nanyang of Henan province in China, in order to cooperate in science and technology, trade, culture, and education. In 1995, Gat and Nanyang signed the Agreement for Establishing Sister-City Relationship.

3. Chuncheon, South Korea

There is a long history of friendly exchanges between Chuncheon and Nanyang. In recent years, this relationship has developed rapidly and the cooperation in trade has gained remarkable results. The two cities have great exchanges and cooperation in research and development, and the processing and sales of jade products, which spurs the exchanges in culture, sports, etc.

4. Slobozia, Romania

On Oct 12, 2012, the mayor of Slobozia headed a delegation to pay a goodwill visit to Nanyang, and the two cities signed the Agreement for Establishing Sister-City Relationship between Nanyang in China and Slobozia in Romania.

(II) Overseas Cities with Friendly Exchange Relationship

1. Osório, Brazil

In 2011, the then mayor of Osório and Mayor Mu Weimin reached a consensus and signed the Letter of Intent for Establishing Sister-City Relationship between Nanyang of Henan Province in People's Republic of China and Osório in the State of Rio Grande do Sul in Federative Republic of Brazil. In the forum on the New Energy Industry, Mayor Romildo expressed his sincere hope that the two cities could strengthen exchanges to achieve win-win results in energy development and utilization.

2. Nampula, Mozambique

There is a long history of friendly exchanges between Nampula and Nanyang. There have been frequent governmental, business and people-to-people exchanges. At Nanyang's invitation, the vice minister of Mozambique's Ministry of Industry and Trade headed a delegation to visit Nanyang in August 2008, and signed a memorandum of this visit and a letter of intent to establish a sister-city relationship.

3. Asti, Italy

In September 2012, the vice mayor of Asti visited China, and together with Mayor Mu Weimin, they signed the Letter of Intent for Establishing Sister-City Relationship between Nanyang of Henan Province in China and Asti of Piedmont in Italy.