Baotou has added Mount Gambier, South Australia, on its list of friendship cities, with an agreement signed to strengthen ties between the two cities, Baotou Daily reported on April 1.

Du Xuejun, mayor of Baotou, extended his warm welcome to a South Australian delegation led by Andrew Lee, mayor of Mount Gambier, at the signing ceremony in Baotou on March 30.

The two cities reached an agreement of intent in 2016. Baotou has been cooperating with Mount Gambier in areas including investment, trade and education ever since, laying a solid foundation for further collaboration between the two cities.

Andrew Lee gave a brief introduction to the city of Mount Gambier, and spoke highly of the achievements made in urban development since establishing an alliance with Baotou in 2016.

According to the agreement, the two cities will boost cultural and trade exchanges and roll out cooperation in areas such as the economy, education and tourism.