Tianjin launches int'l sister city activities

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 ◆ Tianjin launches int'l sister city activities

Tianjin started Wednesday a program promoting relations with its foreign sister cities by receiving representatives from Inchon in the Republic of Korea ( ROK).

The visitors will stay here for four days, and promote the 2002 World Cup, to be co-hosted by the ROK and Japan, during a program known as "2002 Tianjin Friendly Exchange Year Between Sister Cities."

Tian Guiming, head of the city's Foreign Affairs Office, said a series of activities are slated for this year, in a bid to attract more international capital and help the city develop into an international port metropolis.

The activities will include the Tianjin International Tourism Festival, the Tianjin Development Forum, the Second International Counselor Forum for Tianjin Mayor, which will invite representatives from 27 of the World Top 500 Companies, and University Presidents Forum, which will invite university presidents from the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany and other countries.

As the biggest port city in North China, Tianjin has over 50 sister cities across the world.