Vilnius, known as vaivadija in 1930, is the capital of the Republic of Lithuania as well as the political, economic and cultural center. Populated by 580 thousand people, it is the largest city in Lithuania with an area of 392 square kilometers. Vilnius lies at an average of 213 meters above sea level with annual average temperature 5.3℃. The city’s name is originated from the Vilnia River which runs through the city. In 1323, Vilnius became the capital of the Great Duchy of Lithuania.

The old district of Vilnius occupies an area of 3.6 square kilometers. It still maintains a unique style of European architectural. The coexistence of temples of Catholism, Eastern Orthodox Church, Judaism, Islam and so forth has become a distinct urban landscape. In December, 1994, the old district was added to the World Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Furthermore, Vilnius is a major industrial city, owning industries such as instrument manufacturing, machine tool manufacturing, electrical machinery manufacturing, agricultural machinery manufacturing, food processing, light industry, etc. Seven institutions of higher education, including the Vilnius University, are also located in Vilnius along with cultural, educational and scientific research centers like museums, libraries and science academies.

Lithuania is a country that attaches great emphasis on performing arts. There are places accessible for citizen to enjoy performances in the city, such as the National Opera House, Opera and Ballet Theaters, cinemas and various galleries and showrooms.

On October 12th, 2006, Vilnius became friendship city of Guangzhou.

【Development History】

2004
August 2nd-3rd
At the invitation of The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, mayor of capital Vilnius, Lithuania, Mr.Arturas Zuokas led a six-person delegation to visit Guangzhou. Mr.Zhang Guangning, mayor of Guangzhou, met with the delegation and signed the the Memorandum of Strengthening Friendly Cooperation between Guangzhou and Vilnius with Mr. Arturas Zuokas.

September 12th-14th
At the invitation of Vilnius government, Mr.Chen Yaoguang, secretary-general of Guangzhou government, paid a friendly visit to Vilnius along with a thirteen-person delegation. During the visiting, the delegation called on mayor of Vilnius and listened to the introduction of social and economic development of the city. The delegation also held talks with local TV station, Bureau of Tourism and Bureau of Culture & Art, etc.

2005
July 14th-16th
At the invitation of Vilnius Government, Mr.Lin Shusen, member of the Standing Committee of Guangdong Province and director of the Standing Committee of Guangzhou Municipal People's Congress, paid a friendly visit to Vilnius along with a 12-person delegation. The delegation primarily inspected the situation of local economic and social development.

November 27th-December 9th
At the invitation of Lithuania International Chamber of Commerce, a 12-person economic and trade delegation of Guangzhou visited Lithuania. The delegation primarily inspected the local environment for investment, market situation, relevant laws and regulations.

2006
May 15th-28th
At the invitation of Vilnius government, Mr.Shen Bonian, Executive Vice Mayor of Guangzhou, led a 10-person delegation to visit Lithuania. The delegation primarily inspected the situation of local financial operation.

June 21st-24st
At the invitation of Vilnius government, Mr.Su Jinzhong, vice director of Guangzhou Municipal People’s Congress led a good-will delegation of 13 persons to visit Lithuania, held talks on the possibility of Inter-parliamentary exchanges between two cities.

October 11th-16th
At the invitation of the People’s Government of Guangzhou Municipality, Mr. Arturas Zuokas, mayor of Vilnius, paid a friendly visit to Guangzhou with the government delegation and economic and trade delegation of 11 persons. Mr.Zhang Guangning, mayor of Guangzhou, signed the agreement of establishing sisiter city relationship with Mr. Arturas Zuokas on 12th October. Vilnius became the 17th sister city of Guangzhou.

2007
September 12th-14th
At the invitation of Vilnius, Guangzhou trade promotion seminar was held in Vilniu.

2008
Mr.Zill Vestas, director of Vilnius Foreign Affairs Office, was present at the Guangzhou Sister Cities Joint Meeting by invitation on March 14th .