Mayor Zoran Janković has been awarded the title of honorary citizen of the city of Chengdu in the People's Republic of China.

Mayor Zoran Janković and a delegation from the City of Ljubljana paid an official visit to the People's Republic of China.

He and Mayor of Beijing Guo Jinlong signed a ‘Letter of intent on co-operation and exchange between Ljubljana and Beijing’ and at a gala ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the signature of a letter of accord between Chengdu and Ljubljana, as part of an ‘International Week of Sister Cities’, the Mayor of Ljubljana was given the title of honorary citizen of the city of Chengdu.

Signing the ‘Letter of intent on co-operation and exchange between Ljubljana and Beijing’ sets the basis for the cities to co-operate in the fields of tourism, urban planning, management, education and culture. The cities play an important role in their countries and have tremendous potential for development in the domains mentioned. Mayor of Beijing Guo Jinlong expressed great interest in working with Ljubljana and both Mayors agreed to promptly prepare concrete proposals for co-operation.

At the time when partnership between Ljubljana and Beijing is just getting underway, Ljubljana already has 30 years of successful partnership with the city of Chengdu stretching all the way back to 25 October 1981, when a 'Protocol on friendship between the cities' was signed in Chengdu. Seeking to continue the intensive co-operation, Mayor Zoran Janković and the City of Ljubljana delegation were visiting Chengdu for the first time, where among others he met former Mayor and Party Secretary of Chengdu Li Chuncheng.

The Ljubljana and Chengdu delegations exchanged experience and knowledge regarding transport policies, as Chengdu has very rich and successful experience in transport development.

Promoting urban development via partner city co-operation and enhancing international competitiveness by sharing partner city resources is the essence of such co-operation, and encouraged by Chengdu and Ljubljana as well as both Mayors Dr Ge Honglin and Zoran Janković.

At the ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the signature of a letter of accord between the cities, Mayor of Ljubljana Zoran Janković was given the title of honorary citizen of the city of Chengdu for strengthening their already traditionally good relations and welcomed to the opening ceremony of Chengdu's week of partner cities. The event was attended by numerous delegations, among others the mayors of cities in Australia, New Zealand, France, Austria and South Korea, numerous deputy mayors, city councillors, governors and others.