Jiuquan wins International Friendship City Award for Outstanding Contribution with nine other Chinese cities. [Photo/WeChat account: jqrbwx]

Jiuquan in Gansu province was among 10 Chinese cities that received the International Friendship City Award for Outstanding Contribution at the 2026 China International Friendship Cities Conference, held from Oct 21 to 22 in Xi'an, Shaanxi province.

Under the theme "Jointly Strengthening Friendship Cities Cooperation for Common Urban Development," the event drew more than 700 guests, including local government representatives from 61 countries.

Launched in 2008, the conference is China's largest and highest-level institutional meeting on friendship cities. The award recognizes provinces and cities that have excelled in international friendship city exchanges and cooperation.

In recent years, Jiuquan has seized opportunities from China's westward opening and the Belt and Road Initiative to deepen cooperation, establishing multi-level, wide-ranging practical ties with 11 international friendship cities in seven countries. It has also deepened exchanges with friendship cities in Japan, South Korea, and Mongolia, and promoted exchanges with 13 paired schools through study tours and traditional Chinese culture.

The city has exported new energy equipment and other products to more than 110 countries and regions, securing over 60 overseas cooperation deals, and has invited 131 batches of high-level foreign delegations to visit Dunhuang, strengthening the county-level city's international profile.