In 2011, a cultural exchange exhibition celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Kunming-Fujisawa city relationship was held in Kunming.
Kunming began its first friendship city relationship in 1981 with Fujisawa, Japan.
The two cities' friendship can be dated back to Nie Er, the composer of the National Anthem of the People's Republic of China.
In 1935, Nie Er stayed at Fujisawa and unfortunately drowned when swimming.
Fujisawa citizens launched campaigns to memorialize him and erected a monument in 1954 at Shonan Beach, where he lost his life.
Kunming - Fujisawa Friend Cities 25th Anniversary Calligraphy, Fine Arts, Photography Exhibition.
It is the resonance of music and the lamentation of this artist's death that entwine these two cities although separated by thousands of miles.
With the solid foundation laid by people-to-people exchanges, pushed by governments and non-governmental organizations on both sides, Kunming and Fujisawa officially signed a friendship city partnership in 1981.Fujisawa became the first friendship city of Kunming.
During the 30 years since, both sides have carried out fruitful cooperation the fields of culture, education and economy.
In 1985, a series of activities were held in Fujisawa to commemorate Mr Nie Er 50 years after his passing.
Kunming's "international friends circle" has grown to include Zurich in Switzerland, Denver in the United States, Chiang Mai in Thailand and more.
Located in the south-central part of Kanagawa prefecture, it is about 51 km from Tokyo, the capital of Japan. Fujisawa enjoys a moderate climate and picturesque scenery, which is often selected as the theme of "ukiyo-e."
