Tampere, the third largest city in Finland, is the largest inland city in the Nordic countries with the total area of 688 square kilometers and a population of 200,000.

The city was established in 1779 and witnessed its development in high degree of industrialization. At present, its traditional metal and textile industry has developed into the international enterprise and export industry. Nokia Corporation set up the largest global research and development centre here. There are about 600 international industrial organizations including mobile bulldozer, timber processing machines, automatic technology, and information technology, technology of energy and environment, and health-care technology.

Owning University of Tampere and Tampere University of Technology, Tampere is one of the most important international education and research centre. Tampere University of Technology and other R&D organization enjoy the leading position over the world in various technological areas.

Tampere is one of the famous places of interest in Finland including the large amusement park, the highest observation tower in Finland, workers’ housing museum which is the start place of Russian Revolution of 1917 and the Lenin Museum with precious manuscripts. It is the attraction for visitors from all over the world.

On 2nd December, 2008, Guangzhou and Tampere build up a relationship of Sister Cities.  

【Development History】

From 31st October to 5th November, 1997, deputy mayor of Tampere, led a delegation visit Guangzhou and Mr. Lin Shusen, Mayor of Guangzhou, welcomed them. On 4th November, “Sino-Finland Day” seminar was held in Guangzhoul. With the experts from Guangzhou municipal government, education and trade made panel discussions respectively. In the evening of 4th November, a Finnish musician’s concert was held in Friendship Theatre. About 1000 citizens of Guangzhou watched that show. On 5th November, Mr. Li Wenzhou, director general of Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office, signed the Memorandum for enhancing the Exchange and the Cooperation between Guangzhou and Tampere. During this period, delegation also visited high and new technology industrial development zones in Tianhe district, Sun Yat-Sen University as well as Guangzhou Medical College. 

On 11th December, 1998, Tianhe Science Park of Guangzhou established sister relation with Finnish science centre of Tampere. Both two sides held the signature ceremony for cooperation relationship.

From 11th and 17th November, Vice chairman of City Council as well as chairman of Tampere’s Trade Commit headed a delegation of Tampere technology centre visit Guangzhou. In the reception..

From 1st and 5th January, a delegation from Tampere University visited Guangzhou. They met with Mr. Zhou Zhaoyan, Deputy-Secretoriat-general of Guangzhou Municipal Government and also communicated with Guangzhou University and South China Normal University. Moreover, they paid a visit to Tianhe Science Park.

In October, 2003, a delegation from Guangzhou People’s Congress visited Tampere. They met with Tampere’s government and exchanged experience in the field of finance and economy as well as legislation.

On November 7th, 2003, Mr. Xiao Zhenyu, chief of Guangzhou Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau, led a delegation to visit Tampere, paying a visit to the city government office and Tampere Science and Technology Park, held a meeting of Guangzhou Economy Briefing.

From April 24th to April 28th, 2005, , Mr. Timor Paworra, chairman of St.NarYork District, Tampere City Council, led a government, economic and trade delegation to visit Guangzhou. Mr. Li Zhizhen, Deputy Secretary-General met with the delegation.

On July 2nd, 2007, Mr. Tang Kangmei, deputy Secretary-General of Guangzhou People’s Congress, led a delegation visited Tampere to learn the experience of social security system.

On July 26th, 2007, Mr. Li Zigen, chairman of Guangzhou Youth Unity, led a delegation to visit Tampere and discussed with their counterpart about the youth exchange program.

From 2008 March 12th to 14th, Ms. Vuorinen Satu, director general of Tampere’s Foreign Affairs Office, visited Guangzhou and participated in the Guangzhou Sister Cities Joint Meeting.

From 21st to 24th September, 2008, Mr. Li Ming, director general of Guangzhou Foreign Affairs Office headed a delegation to visit Tepere，Finland.

From 1st to 3rd December, 2008，a Guangzhou City Delegation visited Tampere City. On the afternoon of 2nd December, Zhang Guangning, mayor of Guangzhou, headed of the delegation, and signed the protocol of setting up friendly sister cities relationship between the two cities together with Tampere Mayor Time Nieminen.

On May 17th, 2009, a delegation from Tampere University MBA pays a goodwill visit to Guangzhou.