Lijiang wins highest award for international friendship cities

The 2026 China International Friendship Cities Conference was held in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, from October 21 to 22. Lijiang City was awarded the "International Friendship City Award for Outstanding Contribution," making it the only city in Yunnan Province to receive this honor.

Lijiang wins the International Friendship City Award for Outstanding Contribution.

The China International Friendship Cities Conference is the largest and highest-level institutional conference in the field of friendship cities in China. The theme of this year's conference was "Jointly Strengthening Friendship Cities Cooperation for Common Urban Development." More than 700 guests attended the event, including local government representatives from 61 countries across five continents.

The outstanding contribution award for is the highest award for international friendship cities established by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. The award commends provinces and cities that have served the overall national diplomacy and achieved remarkable results in promoting high-quality local development through international exchanges and cooperation.

A total of 20 Chinese provinces and cities received this award this time. Lijiang's receipt of the award is full recognition at the national level of the city's deep commitment to international friendship and its work in promoting mutual learning among civilizations through the bond of World Heritage sites.

A Lijiang official delivers a speech at the parallel forum during the event.

Lijiang has has established 8 pairs of international friendship cities with its peers in 8 countries, with friendship partners spanning four continents. The interactions have gradually evolved from people-to-people exchanges to a two-pronged approach of cultural exchange and practical cooperation.

Source: Lijiang Updates