Beijing (VNA) - Mayors of 12 cities together with representatives and experts from China and ASEAN countries gathered in Nanning city, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, for the Global Mayors Dialogue from January 15-18.

Vietnam attended the forum with two representatives Lang Son city of the same name province, and Mong Cai city in Quang Ninh province.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Secretary of the Nanning city Party Committee Nong Wensheng highlighted that the city has focused on building an open metropolis and working closely with ASEAN. In addition, Nanning has become an important bridge to promote exchanges and cooperation between China and ASEAN, contributing to the two-way connection in the fields of economy-trade, science-technology and cultural exchanges.

The city stands ready to join hands with ASEAN cities, strengthen friendly exchanges and build connections, open door for integration, cooperate in cross-border industries and cultural exchanges between localities. It will play the role of an important window and bridge, promote the development of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area version 3.0, and support each other towards the goal of common prosperity of the region, Nong added.

Nguyen Van Hanh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Lang Son city, spoke highly of the forum's significance in promoting cooperation and connectivity, governance experience sharing among cities in the region and the world. He expressed his confidence that the strengthening of economic-trade, cultural-tourism cooperation between Lang Son, Mong Cai (Vietnam), Nanning (China) and cities in ASEAN will contribute to tightening friendly relations among nations, helping people increase exchanges and mutual understanding, and contributing to the development of cooperative and friendly relations between countries in the region.

The forum's highlight was a discussion on building a China-ASEAN community of friendship - urban openness and cooperation among cities to share ideas and initiatives and contribute new methods to global urban governance, promoting sustainable development.

At the event, representatives of the participating cities announced the Nanning Initiative on enhancing friendly exchanges between cities, contributing to building the ASEAN-China community of a shared future.

𓃲 Also at the forum, 14 projects worth over 3.3 billion CNY (450 million USD) were signed, encompassing sister-city partnerships, economic and trade collaborations, logistics, education and tourism initiatives across eight ASEAN nations./.