Xi'an and Gyeongju, building on their profound historical connection, formalized their relationship as sister cities in 1994, two years after China and South Korea established diplomatic ties.

Zhang Rui, vice-president of Xi'an Municipal People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, described the sister-city relationship as a natural culmination of centuries of exchange.

"It's a dialogue between civilizations spanning thousands of years, a moment where historical legacy and contemporary opportunity perfectly meet," Zhang said.

"Gyeongju, known as 'the museum without a roof', is the cradle of Silla civilization, and Xi'an, a millennia-old ancient capital of China, is commonly seen as the starting point of the Silk Road. These two vibrant civilizations intertwined through the Silk Road thousands of years ago. This shared historical and cultural heritage forms the bedrock of our friendship."