（友城故事）黄浦江与默西河，廿六春秋共潮声

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the long-standing friendship and collaboration between Shanghai and Liverpool, emphasizing the importance of cultural and commercial exchanges between the two cities over the past 26 years [2][4]. Group 1: Cultural and Historical Context - Liverpool is recognized as one of England's core cities and a significant commercial hub, known for its rich cultural heritage, including being the birthplace of The Beatles and home to various museums [2][4]. - The historical connection between Liverpool and Shanghai dates back even before their official friendship in 1999, with Liverpool housing the oldest Chinese community in Europe, originally from Shanghai [6]. Group 2: Current Developments and Future Prospects - Nick Small, Liverpool's Deputy Mayor, expressed a desire for Liverpool to become the UK city that understands China the most, indicating a commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation [2][4]. - The ongoing collaboration between Liverpool John Moores University and Shanghai Normal University is seen as beneficial for both cities, particularly in addressing global challenges such as net-zero emissions and geopolitical issues [5][7]. - Small emphasized the importance of sharing best practices in urban planning and policy-making, particularly in preserving historical architecture while allowing for redevelopment [7].