Boston City Hall was abuzz with celebrations on May 1 as Hangzhou and its sister city Boston commemorated the annual Boston-Hangzhou Day.

Marking a milestone in their sister city relationship, this year's event saw a range of activities, including discussions on the role of culture and arts in urban development jointly organized by the Hangzhou municipal government and the Boston Urban Forum.

In his address, Boston City Councilman Ed Flynn highlighted the cultural and educational bonds shared by the two cities, emphasizing their years of fruitful cooperation.

A round table discussion saw representatives from various fields share their insights into cultural and urban development. Additionally, youth representatives from both cities shared their artistic experiences and ideas, underscoring the importance of public art in fostering community cohesion and economic growth.

Since establishing their sister city relationship in 1982, Hangzhou and Boston have enjoyed decades of collaboration across multiple sectors. The designation of May 1 as Boston-Hangzhou Day in 2022 further cements their commitment to nurturing this enduring friendship.