Chongqing hosts friendship cities cooperation conference

"Today, China is my country's largest trading partner. Trade boosts friendship, and friendship boosts trade; the two are closely connected. And that's why gatherings such as this conference and the sister cities relationships we celebrate are so important," said David Carter, former speaker of the New Zealand Parliament, at the event's opening ceremony.

Carter also shared his plans to bring 18 students from two colleges in Christchurch, the second largest city in New Zealand, to Beijing next month for exchanges.