Qingdao, a coastal city in Eastern China's Shandong province, signed on April 27 a letter of intent with Sihanouk, the biggest port city in Cambodia, to become sister cities, according to the Chinese-language Qingdao Daily.

The move is expected to foster the bilateral cooperation between the two cities on economy, trade and airlines, thanks to the geographical advantages of Sihanouk situated on the Silk Road Economic Belt.

The Qingdao government plans to deepen collaboration with 15 port cities and regions along the Silk Road Economic Belt in line with the central government's Belt and Road Initiative.