Zhongshan and Chile's Chillán signed an agreement to establish a sister-city relationship during the China International Friendship Cities Conference 2024 held in Kunming, Yunnan province from November 18 to 19. This is Zhongshan's first international friendship city in South America.

Founded in 1580, Chillán is the birthplace of Chilean independence leader Bernardo O'Higgins. Zhongshan and Chillán, both are hometowns of great figures, have been actively engaging in exchanges since the signing of the Memorandum of Friendly Cooperation in December 2022.