BANGOR — The city of Bangor and the Chinese District of Nangang have formalized a friendship agreement that they hope will prompt more trade and exchanges between the two.

Bangor and Nangang officials signed an agreement in April and it was announced Wednesday.

Nangang is a district of the large city of Harbin, which is located in the northeastern corner of China, just as Bangor is in the northeastern United States.

Bangor Councilor Gerry Palmer said Wednesday that he hopes the agreement will bring about exports of products made in the Bangor area and exchanges of student, business and research groups. Palmer knows of no other Maine city with formal friendship ties with a Chinese city.