The third of Chesterfield's twinning links was established in 1987, with the city of Yangquan in Shanxi Province, China.
Shanxi has a long-established twinning relationship with Derbyshire. At the time the link was formed, both Chesterfield and Yangquan were coal-mining centres.
It was hoped that economic links would result from the Yangquan twinning link. The Chambers of Commerce in both towns communicate with each other, and civic/commercial delegations have been exchanged on several occasions. Exhibitions about the economic possibilities of both towns have been exchanged.
There have also been some educational and cultural activities. Students from both towns have spent a year in their twin town, learning the language and giving talks about their home towns.
Cultural delegations have been exchanged, with Chesterfield people doing Morris-dancing in and around Yangquan in 1997, and a cultural group from Yangquan putting on performances in and around Chesterfield in 1998.
A delegation from Yangquan visited Chesterfield in December 2016. During the visit, the success of the twinning links were discussed and it was agreed to sign a new friendship cooperation agreement for 2017 to 2021. The new agreement encourages a commitment from both sides to work towards achieving cooperation in economy and trade, education, health and culture and sports.
Alderman Brunt with senior consultant of Yangquan People’s Government, Mr. Chen Yongqi.