Xi'an, a quasi-provincial city and capital city of Shaanxi Province, is an important base of China for scientific research, high education, modern manufacturing and high-tech industries. It is also a major center of trade, finance, information in North and West China and a world-famous historical and tourist city. As China's largest and most influential city along the continental bridge between Asia and Europe, the city has many advantages in technology, human resources, tourism, goods collection and distribution and modern manufacturing. It has under its jurisdiction 8 districts and 5 counties, covering an area of 9983 square km (1066 square km for city proper) and having a population of 6,800,000.

In May 1998, Ningbo successfully sponsored the Ningbo's Brand Name Products Exposition and Symposium on Economic and Technical Cooperation in Xi'an. During the exposition, the Ningbo delegation headed by Mayor Zhang Weiwen met with Xi'an Municipal Government leaders and they expressed the mutual wish to establish sister-city relationship. During Ningbo International Fashion Festival held in ensuing October, the Xi'an delegation headed by Deputy Mayor Wei Changhui paid a return visit to Ningbo and signed the agreement on sister-relationship between the two cities.

The cooperation between Ningbo and Xi'an has focused on technological cooperation, mutual development of market and exchange of personnel. Over 20 such projects have been going on since the establishment of sister-city relationship. A steady cooperation has been maintained between enterprises of Ningbo and such universities and research institutes as Xi'an University of Electronic Technology and Xi'an Research Institute of HV Electrical Equipment. Northwest University of Technology has set up its Technological Development Center in Beilun and has achieved results in such areas as banking facilities research and manufacturing, CAD application and mould manufacturing. Enterprises in Jiangbei District of Ningbo have also carried out cooperation with Xi'an in the field of precision machinery manufacturing and electronic engineering. Between 1999 and 2000, Ningbo Municipal Government twice sent delegations to attend symposiums on investment and trade held in Xi'an and took part in the sales exhibitions, which promoted the cooperation on a number of projects.

more:http://www.xa.gov.cn/