Musicians from the Philadelphia Orchestra and Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra perform during a Chinese New Year concert in Philadelphia, the United States, Jan. 29, 2019. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

Home to the iconic Philadelphia Orchestra, which made history with a pioneering trip to China in 1973, Philadelphia established a sister city tie with China's coastal city of Tianjin about 40 years ago, becoming one of the first U.S. cities to initiate such a relationship with a Chinese city after the two countries established diplomatic ties in January 1979.

NEW YORK, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Philadelphia, the largest city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, is expected to strengthen collaboration with China despite the protracted trade tensions between the world's two largest economies, said the mayor.

"With what's going on in Washington D.C. and some of the difficulties that we're experiencing between the two countries, it is important that all of us maintain relationships," said James F. Kenney, mayor of Philadelphia, in an interview with Xinhua late Friday at a China Day celebration co-hosted by the city.

"Philadelphia and China have been close friends for decades," he said, adding that the city is using various ways including culture, education and business relationships, to cement the bond.

Home to the iconic Philadelphia Orchestra, which made history with a pioneering trip to China in 1973, Philadelphia established a sister city tie with China's coastal city of Tianjin about 40 years ago, becoming one of the first U.S. cities to initiate such a relationship with a Chinese city after the two countries established diplomatic ties in January 1979.

The Chinatown Friendship Gate is pictured in Philadelphia, the United States, March 13, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

Philadelphia has been working closely with Tianjin over the years, said the mayor, noting that the city's ties with China could also be reminded by the landmark Chinatown gate, which was built as a commemoration of the friendship between Philadelphia and Tianjin and as a tribute to the contributions of the Philadelphia Chinese-American community.

On Friday, the City of Philadelphia and The Philadelphia Orchestra worked with the Chinese Consulate General in New York to host a China Day celebration, highlighting the city's close bond with China.

The activity followed another China-themed celebration earlier last week in the city.

Students perform "Red Lantern," a folk dance of Chinese Han ethnic group, during a New Year celebration organized by the Greater Philadelphia Chinese School of Union in Philadelphia, the United States, on Jan. 6, 2019. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

A flag-raising ceremony was held last Tuesday at the city hall to observe the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and to salute the many contributions the Chinese American community has made to the city.

Highly valuing the city's longtime bond with China, Kenney said it is crucial to forge ahead the ties on local levels even though the relations at national level are undergoing some stress.

The mayor also voiced hopes for the settlement of trade disputes between the world's two largest economies.

"There are some difficulties right now and hopefully they will be resolved... We can get back to our normal relationship and try to help each other and help the rest of the world," he said. ■