Since Changzhou was twined with Prato, Italy in 1986, the city has established sister-city relationships with 25 cities in 14 countries from the five continents, of which 17 are bridged with Changzhou, one is twined with Jintan, three are tied with Liyang, two are related with Wujin District, and two are sister cities of Xinbei and Zhonglou Districts respectively. Over the past years, Changzhou has implemented 71 sister-city exchange programs via the channels of ��sister chambers of commerce��; has pushed 11 colleges and universities to cooperate with overseas higher education programs in USA, South Korea, etc. through the establishment of ��sister colleges��; and have promoted the development of medical and health sector by means of establishing ��sister hospitals.��