In recognition of its fruitful interaction with the French city of Lyon, GuangZhou will be presented with the Award for chinese and French Local Government Partnership Achievements at the upcoming third High-level Forum on china-France Government Partnership, according to the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Congress. The award will be the first one jointly presented by the Chinese and French governments, and only 10 pairs of sister provinces and sisters will receive this special honour. Guangzhou will also receive the Special Award for Contribution to International Sister Cities at the China International Sister Cities Convention in September.

The United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) is the world’s largest international organisation of cities and local governments. In 2007, the Chief Executive of Guangzhou was appointed a UCLG joint president representing the cities in the Asia-Pacific region, marking the first entry of a local Chinese government into UCLG’s core leadership, significantly enhancing Guangzhou’s international profile. In 2009, Guangzhou also received the Award for Contributions to People’s Friendship from the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.