A file photo shows Tauranga holding a commodity exhibition in Yantai. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Yantai and Tauranga have fostered in-depth exchanges and cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, culture, education, science and technology, and sports since the two cities established sister city ties in 1986.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of sister city relations between the two sides.

Officials of the two cities sent congratulatory letters to each other to mark the occasion. They also reviewed the history and achievements of the exchanges between the two cities, and expressed their hopes for future cooperation. 

A file photo shows a Maori troupe from Tauranga performing in Yantai to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of sister city relations between Yantai and Tauranga. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Tauranga is the fifth largest city in New Zealand. Tauranga has a comprehensive transportation network is one of the railway and road transport hubs in New Zealand. The city's main industries include tourism, agriculture, animal husbandry, and horticulture. Tauranga is known as the "Kiwi capital of the world" for its developed kiwi and avocado growing industry.

Despite the impact of the epidemic, Tauranga maintained close connections with Yantai and had sent well wishes to the Chinese city during major events such as the Shandong Conference on Tourism Development and the China (Shandong) International Apple Festival.

Tauranga has also sent government and enterprise delegations to Yantai to participate in events such as the International Fruit, Vegetable, Food Exhibition, and the International Terroir Wine Expo (Yantai) China.

For cultural exchange, Yantai has since 2015 sent youth delegations to Tauranga every year. During these trips, participants visit local schools and families to experience local customs, as well as promote traditional Chinese culture to youth in Tauranga.

In the future, the two cities will further deepen exchange and cooperation in the fields of economy, agriculture, fishery, culture, education and sports, officials said.