Surabaya, Indonesia's second largest city, and Xiamen, capital of China's southern province of Fujian, agreed Friday to unite in a sister-city relationship.

 

The Memorandum of Understanding on sister-city relationship was signed into effect by Surabaya Mayor Bambang Dwi Hartono and Xiamen Political Consultative Conference Chairman Chen Xiumao in Surabaya Friday.

 

Under the agreement, the two cities will promote closer cooperation in a wide range of areas, from trade, tourism, education, science, to technology.

 

"We do hope that the agreement will bring advantages to Surabaya as there are many sectors we can develop together with Xiamen, such as trade and tourism," Bambang said after signing the agreement.

 

Chen, who led an eight-member delegation to the event, said, "Surabaya and Xiamen have a lot in common. Surabaya has, among others, its own port and an institute of technology like we do."

 

After Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, Xiamen is the second Chinese city with which Surabaya establishes a sister-city relationship.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 23, 2006)