"Most Chinese immigrants in San Francisco came from Guangdong province," said Xiao Xiayong, culture counselor at the Chinese consulate in San Francisco. "Even San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee's parents immigrated to the US from Taishan, Guangdong province.

"Chaozhou is a historical and cultural city in South China that is famous for Chaozhou cuisine, Chaoju opera and KungfuTea, and other strong local cultural features," Xiao said.

"The sister city relationship will not only help promote Chaozhou culture in San Francisco, enriching the already diverse culture here, but also provide opportunities for those Chaozhou descendants in San Francisco to appreciate their own heritage.

"The sister city relationship will serve as a platform for exchanges between both sides. It's a win-win situation," he added.

The new relationship is likely to facilitate tourism between the two cities as well.

Currently, China is the fifth-largest tourism market for San Francisco, after the UK, Germany, France and Austria and New Zealand, according to the San Francisco Travel Association.

"In 2011, we welcomed 198,000 visitors from China, the number is definitely increased in 2012 but we are still waiting for that figure," said Angela Jackson, director of media relations-international at the San Francisco Travel Association.

"Every time San Francisco has a relationship with any city, there are always positive effects," Jackson said.

yuwei12@chinadailyusa.com

(China Daily USA 11/28/2013 page2)