Mont-Saint-Michel in France and Tai'an in China have forged closer ties despite their vast geographical distance, setting an example for strengthening cooperation between the two countries.

Mont-Saint-Michel, a tidal island in France, is most famous for its Gothic-style Benedictine abbey and the village that grew up within the shadow of its walls, and is visited by millions each year. With its picturesque scenery and time-honored history, Mont-Saint-Michel and its surrounding bay was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

Tai'an in east China's Shandong Province is also a popular tourist city. Taishan Mountain in Tai'an is one of the most famous mountains in China. It is also a sacred mountain that was worshipped by successive emperors since the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC). Preserving dozens of ancient buildings and relic sites that house thousands of inscriptions, the mountain boasts a harmonious fusion of ancient culture, beautiful landscapes and geological wonders. In 1987, Taishan Mountain was listed as a UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage Site.  

After forging sister ties in 1997, Mont-Saint-Michel and Tai'an have conducted in-depth communication and exchanges in such areas as tourism development, protection and promotion. In June 2022, the two cities decided to further deepen their friendship and cooperation by establishing a friendly relationship between the mountainous tourist spots of Mont-Saint-Michel and Taishan Mountain.

Through this new partnership, the two cities hoped to further unleash their potential in tourism and strengthen their exchanges and cooperation in commerce, culture, education and other key areas.