1998年10月，应卡拉米市政府的邀请，哈尔滨市副市长尚玉金率领市政府代表团访问了南非卡拉米市，就两市加强经贸往来，全方位开展友好交流等事宜达成初步意向。
1999年6月13日，应哈尔滨市政府的邀请，卡拉米市市长艾萨克·马兰古率领该市政府代表团访问了哈尔滨市，并参加了哈尔滨经济贸易洽谈会。在访问期间，双方签署了《中国哈尔滨市与南非共和国卡拉米市关于加强友好合作与交流的会谈纪要》，双方一致同意建立友好城市关系。
1999年8月，卡拉米市市长和首席行政官联合致函哈尔滨市市长，进一步确认同意该市与哈尔滨市建立友好城市关系。
2000年5月15日，中国人民对外友好协会正式批复同意哈尔滨市同南非卡拉米市建立友好城市关系。
2000年7月2日至6日，应哈尔滨市人民政府的邀请，以卡拉米市市长马兰古先生为团长的卡拉米市政府代表团一行5人对哈尔滨市进行友好访问，南非驻华大使戴克瑞也一同来访。访问期间与哈尔滨市签署了《中华人民共和国哈尔滨市与南非共和国卡拉米市建立友好城市关系协议书》及《中华人民共和国哈尔滨市和南非共和国卡拉米市友好往来与合作交流的工作会谈纪要》。
2000年11月，南非进行行政区划调整，卡拉米市并入新成立的大东兰德市。2001年2月，大东兰德市改名为现在的艾古莱尼市。
2001年6月14日至17日，应哈尔滨市人民政府的邀请，以艾古莱尼市市长维拉卡兹先生为团长的一行6人代表团来哈尔滨市访问并参加了“哈洽会”。
2001年6月15日，艾古莱尼市与我市重新签订了友好城市关系协议书。
2002年5月应艾古莱尼市政府邀请，以市人大副主任富亚洲为团长的一行4人代表团访问了艾古莱尼市。双方再次就加强两市在经贸、文化、教育、医药等领域的合作交换了意见。
2002年6月14至17日，以艾古莱尼市议会政党主席蒙盖尔先生为团长的一行4人代表团参加了我市举办的第13届“哈洽会”。双方就农业项目的合作进行了初步探讨。
2002年9月，市人大主任孟广遂率团访问了艾古莱尼，双方探讨了污水处理的合作事宜。
2004年6月14至18日，以副市长阿库先生为团长的南非艾古莱尼市政府代表团一行4人参加了“哈洽会”。期间，代表团除了参观展区和参加商务之桥的活动外还参观了红旗农业示范园区，与我市就友城合作事宜进行了会谈。市人大孟广遂主任和市政府方世昌副市长分别会见了客人。双方签署了《中国哈尔滨市和南非艾古莱尼市扩大友好交流与合作备忘录》。
2004年7月19日以方世昌副市长为团长的哈尔滨市政府代表团一行9人应邀访问了南非艾古莱尼市。期间会见了阿库和马兰古两位副市长，参观了市政建设并进行了会谈。
2005年6月24日以市委副书记邹新生为团长的哈尔滨市代表团一行4人应邀访问了艾古莱尼市。访问期间会见了马兰古副市长，进行了友好会谈。
2005年7月26日至28日，南非艾古莱尼市副市长马兰古先生率政府及企业家代表团一行十一人来我市进行工作访问，了解我市城市发展规划及旧城区改造的有关情况，并借鉴相关经验。此外，马兰古副市长还提出了两市开展学生交流的建议，希望为坐落于该市的“艾古莱尼西大学”寻找对口的学校开展交流活动。
City of Ekurhuleni
Date and Place of signing the twinning agreement: June 15,2001 in Harbin.
Brief introduction to Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
Ekurhuleni is in the third position of top largest metropolitan areas of the Republic of South Africa. Ekurhuleni means ‘Place of Peace’ in local language. It is one of five top developed areas of Gauteng Province. It enjoys the reputation of engine and workshop of South Africa as processing industry extensively gathers here and it is the second largest industry development areas of South Africa. Ekurhuleni owns advanced educational and medical care facilities.
Brief introduction to mutual communications
In Oct. 1998 by the invitation of Khayalami Municipal, Harbin governmental delegation headed by Mr. SHANG Yujin, Deputy Mayor of Harbin visited Khayalami City and accomplished initiative intend about developing economic and trade cooperation and exchanges in all directions with Khayalami City.
In June 1999 at the invitation of Harbin Municipal, Khayalami governmental delegation headed by Mr. Isaac Mahlangu, Mayor of Khayalami, visited Harbin and participated Harbin Trade Fair. PROTOCOL FOR STRENGTHENING FRIENDLY EXCHANGES AND COOPERATION between THE CITY OF HARBIN, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA and KHAYALAMI METROPOLITAN COUNCIL, REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA was signed, both sides agree to establish sister city relationship.
In August 1999, Mayor and Chief Executive Officer jointly sent the confirmation of establishment Sister City relationship with Harbin to the Mayor of Harbin.
In May 2000, China People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries formally approved the application of establishment twinning relationship between Harbin and Khayalami, Mr. Mahlangu, Mayor of Khayalami, paid friendly visit to Harbin, Mr. Chris N Dlamini, Ambassador of South African Embassy to China, visited Harbin in the same delegation. AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HARBIN OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND THE CITY OF KHAYALAMI OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TWIN-CITY RELATIONSHIP was signed.
In Nov 2000, Khayalami City was jurisdiction by newly established the Greater East Rand Metro by the reason of jurisdiction adjustment of South Africa. In Feb 2001, the Greater East Rand Metro changed the name into Ekurhuleni Metropolitan.
From June 14 to 17 2001, by the invitation of Harbin Municipal, a 6-person delegation headed by Mr. Bavumile Vilakazi, Mayor of Ekurhuleni visited Harbin and participated Harbin Trade Fair.
In June 15, 2001 AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF HARBIN OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND THE CITY OF EKURHULENI OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TWIN-CITY RELATIONSHIP was signed.
In May 2002, by the invitation of Ekurhuleni, Harbin delegation headed by Mr. FU Yazhou, Deputy President of Harbin National People’ Congress, visited Ekurhuleni and discussed the cooperation in the areas of economy, trade, culture, education and pharmacy between two cities.
From June 14 to 17 2002 at the invitation of Harbin Municipal, a 4-person delegation headed by Mr. Mongale, the Whip of Ekurhuleni Council participated 13th Harbin Trade Fair and discussed initiatively cooperation in the area of agriculture.
In September 2002, Harbin delegation headed by Mr. MENG Guangsui, President of Harbin National People’s Congress visited Ekurhuleni and discussed cooperation in the area of sewage water treatment.
From June 14 to 18, 2004 by the invitation of Harbin Municipal, a 4-person delegation headed by Mr. Akoon, Deputy Mayor of Ekurhuleni, visited Harbin, participated events of Harbin Trade Fair, visit exhibition hall of Trade Fair and Harbin Hongqi Agricultural Demonstration Zone, participated the Work Discussion. THE MEMO OF EXPANDING FRIENDLY EXCHANGES AND COOPERATION BETWEEN TWO CITIES was signed. Mr. MENG Guangsui, President of Harbin National People’s Congress, and Mr. FANG Shichang, Deputy Mayor of Harbin, met the delegation respectively.
In July 2004, Harbin delegation headed by Mr. FANG Shichang, Deputy Mayor of Harbin, visited Ekurhuleni, met with Mr. Akoon, Deputy Mayor of Ekurhuleni, and Mr. Mahlangu, Deputy Mayor of Ekurhuleni, visited municipal facilities and discussed the cooperation.
From 26 to 28 July, 2005 Ekurhuleni delegation comprised by officers and entrepreneurs headed by Mr. Mahlangu, Deputy Mayor of Ekurhuleni, visited Harbin to learn about architectural plan and old city proper renovation of Harbin. Mr. Mahlangu also suggested to exchange students between Harbin universities and Ekurhuleni West College.