The "2016 Shanghai International Sister Cities Youth Camp Opening Ceremony" is held at the Youth Activity Center of Hongkou District and the students from the Youth Activity Center of Xuhui District give a performance of opera art on July 12, 2016. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

The commission has successfully held the camp seven times since 2009, which strives to promote the youth's communication between Shanghai and its international sister cities, display Shanghai's modern outlook as an international city, develop Chinese history, culture, tradition, and enhance the international friendship and collaboration between Shanghai and its sister cities.

Up to 2016, more than 600 teachers and students from 20 international sister cities have been invited to the youth camp, including Marseille of France, Hamburg of Germany, Harris of Mexico, Petersburg of Russia, Rotterdam of the Netherlands, Liverpool of the UK, KwaZulu-Natal of South Africa, and Valparaiso of Chile. It is said that the two-week summer camp not only strengthens foreign students' understanding of Shanghai and leaves them a wonderful "Shanghai impression" but also provides an opportunity for Shanghai and foreign students to live, learn and travel together, and thus deepens their mutual communication and friendship.