City: Leeds

Country: United Kingdom

Province: West Yorkshire

Mayor: Jane Dowson

Introduction:

Leeds is situated by the River Aire in West Yorkshire, England. It was granted a municipal chapter in 1626 and founded in 1893. It is the largest industrial city in West Yorkshire, as well as one of the important cultural, administrative and traffic centers in Central England. Leeds is England’s second-largest financial center, after London, with many famous transnational corporations, banks, accounting and law firms having settled there. A city with vitality and rich resources, Leeds also has an active artistic ethos, various sports events and a magnificent cultural landscape. It was recognized as the best commercial city and shopping city in England in an Omis’ investigation in 2003. And it was voted the UK's favorite city in Condé Nast's Readers' Traveler Awards 2003.

Date of establishment of sister-city relations with Hangzhou: June 8, 1988