The opening ceremony of the 2011 Jinan International Sister Cities Cultural Exchanges and Photo Exhibit was held on Oct 2011 in Jinan, the provincial capital of Shandong province.

One of Jinan's officials with representatives of Jinan's sister cities.

Jinan held the 2011 Jinan International Sister Cities Cultural Exchanges and Photo Exhibit between October 21 and 24 to showcase the city's achievement in cultural exchanges on the international stage.

Qi Jianzhong, Jinan's vice mayor addressed the photo exhibit opening ceremony. He said the exhibit will not only give Jinan people the chance to appreciate the scenery of its sister cities but also will promote city-level cooperation.

Around 100 foreign representatives from 11 of Jinan's sister cities attended the ceremony.

Anita Linnamaki from Vantaa, Finland, encouraged the continuation of cultural exchanges between Jinan and Vantaa and hoped that more cooperation will happen in the years to come.

By Zhao Ruixue (China Daily Shandong Bureau)

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Tania Lee