2026 China International Friendship Cities Conference opens in Xi'an

This photo taken on Oct. 21, 2026 shows the opening ceremony of the 2026 China International Friendship Cities Conference in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Themed "Jointly Strengthening Friendship Cities Cooperation for Common Urban Development," the conference kicked off here on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

A guest shakes hands with a robot while visiting an exhibition on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the 2026 China International Friendship Cities Conference in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Oct. 21, 2026.

Themed "Jointly Strengthening Friendship Cities Cooperation for Common Urban Development," the conference kicked off here on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

Guests attend the opening ceremony of the 2026 China International Friendship Cities Conference in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Oct. 21, 2026.

Themed "Jointly Strengthening Friendship Cities Cooperation for Common Urban Development," the conference kicked off here on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

Children perform Qinqiang Opera, a genre of Chinese folk opera, at the opening ceremony of the 2026 China International Friendship Cities Conference in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Oct. 21, 2026.

Themed "Jointly Strengthening Friendship Cities Cooperation for Common Urban Development," the conference kicked off here on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)

Guests visit an exhibition on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the 2026 China International Friendship Cities Conference in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Oct. 21, 2026.

Themed "Jointly Strengthening Friendship Cities Cooperation for Common Urban Development," the conference kicked off here on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Shao Rui)