Guangzhou has a long history of foreign exchange. During the Qin and Han Dynasties (about 226 BC-220 AD), Guangzhou, as the originating port of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, had frequent contacts with overseas countries. China's silk, porcelain, iron, copper coins, paper, gold and silver are shipped overseas from Guangzhou in exchange for jewelry, spices, ivory, rhinoceros horn and so on. Guangzhou became the most famous trading port in the world at that time. By the Yuan Dynasty (about 1206- 1368), there were more than 40 countries and regions that traded with Guangzhou. In the Ming Dynasty (about 1368- 1644), there was an Export Commodities Fair in Guangzhou. In the Qing dynasty (1757), for a period of time, the Qing government implemented "one-stop trade", and Guangzhou became the only foreign trade port, with more frequent foreign exchanges. At that time, the famous "Guangzhou Thirteen Lines" was a foreign firm specializing in foreign trade. The prosperity of foreign trade has also promoted the cultural exchange between Guangzhou and overseas.

International twin cities:

Since the reform and opening up (1979), Guangzhou has established sister city relations with 19 international cities in the world. Guangzhou has become a full member city of world association of major metropolises.

Fukuoka City (Japan)

Signature: Yang Shangkun, Director of Guangzhou Revolutionary Committee \ Kazuo Fujita, Mayor of Fukuoka City.

Place of signature: Fukuoka

Signing time: 1979.5.2

Los Angeles (USA)

Signature: Guangzhou Mayor Liang Lingguang \ Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley.

Place of signature: Los Angeles

Signing time: 198 1. 12.8.

Manila (Philippines)

Signatories: Liang Lingguang, Mayor of Guangzhou, Bahin, Mayor of Manila, and Mrs. Marcos, Governor of Metro Manila.

Place of signature: Manila

Signing time: 1982. 12.8

Vancouver (Canada)

Signed by Ye Xuanping, Mayor of Guangzhou \ Michael Hackett, Mayor of Vancouver.

Place of signature: Vancouver

Signing time: 1985.3.27

Sydney (Australia)

Signature: Guangzhou Mayor Zhu Senlin \ Sydney Mayor Douglas Sutherland.

Place of signature: Sydney

Signing time: 1986.5. 12

Barry (Italy)

Signature: Zhu Senlin, Mayor of Guangzhou \ Lanchester Druzia, Mayor of Bali.

Place of signature: Guangzhou

Signing time:1986.11.12.

Lyon (France)

Signature of Guangzhou Mayor Zhu Senlin \ Lyon Mayor Francisco Cologne.

Place of signature: Guangzhou

Signature time: 1988. 1. 19.

Frankfurt (Germany)

Signature: Zhu Senlin, Mayor of Guangzhou \ Volfram Brooke, Mayor of Frankfurt.

Place of signature: Frankfurt

Signing time: 1988.4. 1 1

Auckland City (New Zealand)

Signature: Guangzhou Mayor Yang Ziyuan \ Auckland Mayor Catherine Tizard.

Signing place: Auckland Signing time: 1989.2. 17.

Guangzhou (North Korea)

Signature: Lin Shusen, Acting Mayor of Guangzhou \ Song, Mayor of Guangzhou.

Place of signature: Guangzhou

Signing time: 1996. 10.25

Lin Xueping (Sweden)

Signature: Guangzhou Mayor Lin Shusen \ Lin Xueping Mayor Jova.

Place of signature: Guangzhou

Signature time:1997.11.24.

Durban City (South Africa)

Signature: Guangzhou Mayor Lin Shusen \ Durban Mayor Mlaba.

Place of signature: Durban

Date of signature: July 2000 17

Bristol (UK)

Signature: Guangzhou Mayor Lin Shusen \ Bristol Mayor Robertson.

Place of signature: Bristol

Signing time: 200 1.5.23

Yekaterinburg (Russia)

Signature: Guangzhou Mayor Lin Shusen \ Yekaterinburg Mayor Akadi Chenatsky.

Place of signature: Guangzhou

Date of signature: July 2002 10