A sister city is long-term partnership between two cities in two different countries. A relationship is officially recognized after the highest elected or appointed official from both cities sign an agreement to become sister cities.
A city may have any number of sister cities, with community involvement ranging from a half dozen to hundreds of volunteers.
Bellevue has four sister cities:
- Yao, Japan (est 1969)
- Hualien, Taiwan (est 1984)
- Liepāja, Latvia (est 1992)
- Kladno, Czech Republic (est 1993)
Each sister city organization is independent and pursues activities that are important to them and their community including municipal, business, trade, educational, and cultural exchanges with their sister cities.
