Nourished by the Yangtze and Hanjiang rivers, Wuhan has long served as a vital transportation hub in China. Similarly, Duisburg, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Ruhr rivers, has flourished as a crucial water and land transportation hub in Germany. Both cities share a historical legacy as former steel industry centers, and while separated by vast distances, the elements of water and fire have forged the foundation of their enduring partnership. Over four decades of close ties have only deepened the bond between Wuhan and Duisburg, with the “Song of Water and Fire” resonating across China.