A trade and economic delegation from Fuzhou Party Committee and Government, led by Party Secretary Yang Yue, visited Tacoma city in Washington State, US on Dec 6 to replenish ties.

Delegates from Fuzhou and officials from Tacoma pose for a photo in front of the “Fuzhou Pavilion”, which was funded and built by Fuzhou as a token of friendship between the two cities, in Tacoma, US, Dec 6. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The two cities signed a MOU (Memorandum Of Understanding) in a bid to increase cooperation in shipping, economy, trade, education and culture.

Fuzhou and Tacoma can improve their communication and push the two-decade-old friendship to the next level, said Yang during a meeting with Tacoma's Deputy Mayor Victoria Woodards.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, then the Party Secretary of Fuzhou, visited Tacoma in Oct 1993. A year later, the two became sister cities and have maintained close interactions in economy, trade, culture, education, sports and so on.

Having worked in Fujian for 18 years (1985-2002), Xi has called Fujian and Fuzhou his “second home”. He attested to that statement by paying a visit in early November this year, getting himself close to the people and giving instructions for Fuzhou's development.

The Fuzhou delegation followed Xi's footprints 21 years ago to Tacoma, which is a famous art and port city, and reconnected with old friends, said Yang.