The local government of Shanghai, China, and Sofia, Bulgaria, signed an intent agreement to become sister cities on Oct. 14, Tuesday.
According to reports, Yin Yicui, Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of Shanghai Municipal People's Congress, and Jordanka Fandakova, Mayor of Sofia, agreed at a meeting prior to the signing ceremony that they would become partners in projects on education, culture, sports and tourism.
As a noble gesture for the agreement, a Chinese painting and photo exhibit called "Shanghai in My Heart" was held in Sofia. The three-day event featured 80 works of famous artists and photographers from Shanghai.
The event was organized by the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, the Shanghai International Culture Association and the Union of Bulgarian Artists (UBA).
Shanghai will be Sofia's first sister city in China, but 25th worldwide. On the other hand, Sofia will be Shanghai's 65th sister city worldwide.
Sofia is the capital and largest city in Bulgaria. Sofia has been called "Beta City" by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network for having many universities, cultural institutions and businesses in it.
Before becoming Sofia's sister city, Shanghai signed the same agreement with Kuopio, Finland, in 2012.