On the morning of September 13, in Bursa, Turkey, on behalf of Ningbo, Mr. LIU Yi, Vice Chairman of Ningbo Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, officially signed an agreement of establishing the relationship of friendly exchanges between Ningbo and Bursa with Mr. Mustafa Bozbey, Mayor of Bursa. So far, Ningbo has established friendly relationships with 116 cities across 5 continents.

In parallel with the signing ceremony, Ningbo launched a photo exhibition of Ningbo's culture and scenery in Bursa on the same day. Additionally, coinciding with the Opening Ceremony of the 3rd International Bursa Gastronomy Festival, Ningbo also set up an exhibition called the "A Taste of China – A Hundred Dishes from Ningbo" at the festival, showcasing Ningbo's unique cuisines.

As a G20 member and the 13th largest economy in the world, Turkey serves as a central point connecting Europe and Asia. Located on the west end of the ancient Silk Road and recognised as the "City of Silk", Bursa is the 4th largest city and the hub of textile and automotive industry in Turkey. The Port of Bursa is a vital port on the Black Sea route. Bursa has abundant resources in education, culture and tourism. It is home to institutions of higher education such as Bursa Uludağ University and Istanbul Ticaret University. It is also the largest center for winter sports in Turkey. As the birthplace of the Ottoman Empire, Bursa is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.