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 Cardiff of the United Kingdom
Cardiff is the capital city of Wales. Situated at the mouth of Taff River, it is an important port in Bristol Channel. The city has a population of 300,000 and covers an area of 120 square kilometers. It became the first twinned city of Xiamen on 31 March 1983, when the good-will agreement was signed in Xiamen. The twinned cities are the first of its kind in China.
In early twenty century, Cardiff was the biggest coal export port in the world. It used to be quite developed in heavy industries, such as coal, steel and iron, and auto assembly. Being the biggest city in Wales, Cardiff is an important business and service center in the UK. During the period from 1994 to 1998, a merging took place, and Cardiff was merged with South Glamorgan to form a new Cardiff County. In the old system, South Glamorgan was a county that had Cardiff and Vale under its jurisdiction.
 Sasebo of Japan
Sasebo is a port city in northwest Kyushu of Japan. Situated in north Nagasaki County, Sasebo is the second largest city in the county. It has a population of approximately 250,000 and covers an area of 248.29 square kilometers. There are hundreds of islands of various sizes scattered on the sea surface between Sasebo and Hirado, which covers a distance of 25 kilometers.
The Port of Sasebo was established in 1889. It was a major navy base during the Japanese-Russian War and the Second World War. In 1902, the Sasebo City was founded and was further developed into a tourist city after the Pacific War. In 1948 the Port of Sasebo was designated as the first postwar trade port in west Japan. One year later in 1951 it was designated as a major port. In 1952, the American Navy Base was established in Sasebo, which is also where the Third Education Corps of Offshore Self-defense troops and the Ainonra troops are stationed. Now, the Port of Sasebo has double functions for commerce and defense.
 Cebu of Philippines
Cebu City, the regional capital of Central Visayas, lies at the heart of the Philippine archipelago, 365 miles south of Manila. Located midway on the East Coast of Cebu Island, it is bounded on the north by the Municipality of Talisay and on the west by Toledo City and Balamban.
Cebu City, with a total land area of 340 square kilometers and a population of 700,000, is the economic centre of Visayas. Metropolitan Cebu is a complex of 3 cities -- Cebu, Lapu-lapu and Mandaue- with Cebu City as its capital and a population of over 1 million. Pleasant weather generally prevails over metropolitan Cebu. It is seldom visited by typhoons, being outside the typhoon belt. Its temperature averages 27C all year round.The second largest port, Cebu Port is located in the northwest of Cebu City and is a naturally favored harbor.
 Baltimore of the United States
Baltimore is one of the oldest metropolises in the United States. The city was founded in 1729, originally as a "Tobacco Port", through which tobacco from Maryland was exported to Europe. Later, goods exported changed to flour, and the city's commerce and water transport continued to flourish. At the time when the American Revolution broke out, Baltimore had developed into a busy port city, actively engaged in maritime business with Europe and Central America.
Baltimore is where John Hopkins University and the State University of Maryland are located. John Hopkins University is world-renowned for its great strength in medical research.
 Wellington of New Zealand
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand.
Situated at the south end of North Island, it is an important seaport, and the political and economic center of the country as well. Wellington became the twinned city of Xiamen on 23 June 1987.
In 1839 the British New Zealand Company set up in Wellington the first immigration site. One year later in 1840, the place was named "Wellington", after the Duke of Wellington, and the municipality was established. In 1865, the central government of New Zealand moved from Auckland to Wellington.
Wellington City has a population of 134,000 and covers an area of 26,000 hectares, which is approximately 266 square kilometers. The Wellington Region, which consists of two basins, has a population of 320,000, making up 10% of the country's total. Being located in the South Hemisphere, Wellington City has a moderate and humid climate, with mild winter and cool summer. It is a city known as " a world surrounded by flowers", as flowers and plants bloom luxuriantly all the year round.
 Pinang City (George Town) of Malaysia
Pinang City, which is also named George Town, is the capital city of the Pinang State of Malaysia. It is the second largest city in the country.
An important seaport and industrial base, it is the economic center in north Malay Peninsula. The city and Xiamen established the relation of twinned cities on 10 November 1993.
Pinang City covers an area of 293 square kilometers. It has a population of approximately 600,000. The city has an average annual temperature of 26.9oC and an annual rainfall of 2434mm. It is situated in the northeast land spit of the granite Pinang Island, at the north estuary of Strait of Malacca, off the west coast of the Pinang Strait. The island city is 3.2 kilometers away from the continent, surrounded by ocean water in the front and mountains at the back. It is a deep-water port, capable of simultaneously providing 15 berths for ships of thousand tons. The city has become a free port since the British occupation in 1786. The State of Pinang is made up of Pinang City and a coastal strip on the mainland. The two parts are connected by a cross-ocean bridge.
 Maroochydore of Australia
Maroochydore has a population of about 110,000 and covers an area of 1153 square kilometers. It is one of the three administrative regions (the other two being Caloundra and Noosa) that constitute the Sunshine Coast, which lies about 100 kilometers to the north of Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland of Australia. Maroochydore became a twinned city of Xiamen on 28 September 1999.
Maroochydore is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the east and mountain ranges in the west. In the north it is connected to the valley of the upper reaches of River Mary. In the south it is adjacent to the tourist port city of ¡ and further to the National Park. Maroochydore enjoys a subtropical climate, with 8 hours of sunshine every day on average. The city has an average temperature of 28oC and an average rainfall of 1700mm in summer, while in winter it is generally cool and pleasant.
Maroochydore is a land with a long history, which can be traced back to 15000 years ago. The place had long been inhabited by aborigines before the arrival of European colonists. It was in 1820 that the first group of Europeans came to settle down in Maroochydore. With the surging of white immigrants in later years, the city began to be engaged in more and more commercial activities. As a result, the manufacturing industry and the processing industry flourished rapidly. Tourist industry has now become one of the major industries in Maroochydore. Over the recent years, Maroochydore has experienced rapid growth in its economy. It is regarded as "a City of the Future".
Kaunas of Lithuania
Guadalajara of Mexico
Zoetermeer city of Holland
Zoetermeer city locates on the west of Holland which is quite near to large cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Hague. As an newly started city, it is developing the most prosperous and strong economy city. The main industry is dairy products, food, fiber, automobile chassis ,hardware, medical and electronic etc. It has complete infrastructure, convenient living environment and broad working opportunities. Since year of 2001, this city started friendly communication and cooperation with Xiamnen.
Surabaya,
Surabaya, capital of East Java ,is the second largest city of Indonesia. It locates on the northeast bank of Java island and adjacent to Surabaya with an area of 326.27 square meters and population of 2,480,000( Data of 2002).Javan, Madurese, British, Amboinese, Chinese and Arab are main population of Surabaya and Islam is local religion.
In middle century, Surabaya was the important exporting port of Java. and it developed fast and became modern industrial center and important business port since 1970s. It has rich agricultural products and advanced stock raising and fishing. It has the largest teak production area and huge fishing boats, the largest ship repairing plant and best boatyard. The main industrial here is mechanic, electron, cement,veneer and food production etc. Gresik, which is in the north of Surabaya and other new industrial areas which adjacent to the capital and major cities play an very important role in the development of Surabaya and East Java.
With the increasing of investment, especiall in container, Tanjung Perak port of Surabaya becomes the largest international trade port after Djakarta. Modernization of port improved container operational throughput,and it can operate 21 hours every day. Except cargo transportation, Tanjung Perak becomes the tourists transportation hinge between Djakarta and east proviences of Indonesia.
Governmental railway companies develops fast on the basis of French railway technology. It only takes 8 hours from Surabaya to Djakarta. Surabaya has advanced airline transportation. The main international airport Juanda has flight to Singapore,Hongkog and Australia etc.It only takes 1 hour from Surabaya to Djakarta.Surabaya is also the hinge to Nusa Tenggara which lies in the north of Indonesia and Ujung Pandang which lies on the northeast of Indonisia.
Surabayahas the only private stock market except the one in Djakarta, which can provide stock market as well as support middle and small enterprise.
Masi lake goes through city. City divides into commercial district and residential district. And has some cultural section such as Ailanjia University, Science University, Navy College and so on.
Surabayais know as “ Hero City” in anti-colonization history. Every 10th of November is “Hero Day” and there are many hero monuments in this city. Municipal square and Karong Park are the main tourist sight-seeing places. The mosque which was built in 1868 and Henterik Castle are famous ancient architecture. Dalmo Animal Park is the largest animal park of Indonesia. Around the suburb there are also many beautiful volcanic cones and volcano lakes. |
