Sister city since: November 1, 2001

Overview

Kostroma Oblast has an area of about 60,000 square kilometers, a population of about 740,000, and a forest coverage rate of 74.1%. It directly administers eight municipalities. The capital Kostroma City is 372 kilometers away from Moscow. Kostroma Oblast enjoys convenient transportation enabled by a favorable geographical location and is one of the central economic zones. Kostroma Oblast’s economy relies heavily on industry, complemented by husbandry-based agriculture.

Relations with Xiangyang

In 2000, Xiangyang came into contact with Kostroma Oblast. In order to further promote the development of bilateral relations, the Governor of Kostroma Oblast visited Xiangyang and signed an agreement to officially establish a sister city relation on November 1, 2001.

From 2001, a total of 31 students comprising of 17 high school graduates and 14 college students in Xiangyang were sent to Kostroma State University for exchange and study. The second group of 34 high school graduates went to the Moscow State University of Technology for study.

In 2002, Xiangyang New Fixed Star Piston Rings established partnership with Kostroma Motor Accessories, the largest accessory manufacturer in Russia.

In 2003, Bi Xiaoyun, a teacher from Xiangyang Institue, was sent to Kostroma State University to teach Chinese for one year.

In March 2013, the Xiangyang Delegation was warmly received by Mr. Han Cunli, the then chairman of the Council for the Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China in Russia and the Moscow Chinese Federation. In October 2013, Mr. Han Cunli led a delegation of three to Xiangyang to promote the friendship, non-governmental exchanges, and business cooperation between the two sides.

In May 2015, Mr. Titunin, President of Kostroma State University of Technology, visited Xiangyang and discussed on exchange of teachers and students and overseas education programs with Xiangyang Technician College. Both sides showed interest of cooperation in tourism and hotel management programs. Mr. Titunin also signed the intention of cooperation with Xiangyang Auto Vocational Technical College in mechanical manufacturing, automation and information engineering.

In January 2017, the Lieutenant Governor of Kostroma Oblast sent New Year’s wishes to Xiangyang through video at the Spring Festival Gala for Chinese farmers. In November, Kostroma Oblast held an economic, trade and cultural promotion fair at the Russian embassy in Beijing. Representatives of Xiangyang Municipal People’s Government and Municipal People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries attended the event.