Canals are a marvelous creation by mankind in its coexistence with Nature and a great testimony to human civilization. Around the globe, a number of cities have been born and bred by, and owe their development and prosperity to, canals. For these cities, canals are their blood vessels. Grateful for the nourishment by the canals, the canal cities share a strong common identity. Founded in 2009, we are a non-profit international organization voluntarily formed by a number of canal cities and related economic or cultural institutions from around the world. Our full official name is World Historic and Cultural Canal Cities Cooperation Organization (abbreviated as WCCO). The organization has its domicile and secretariat in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province. Our work is oriented around canals. We work to promote the economic and cultural exchanges between canals cities, share their development experience, encourage mutually beneficial cooperation, and facilitate their common development and prosperity. Since its founding 8 years ago, WCCO has been dedicated to exploring the conservation and utilization of canals and canal-related heritages, as well as seeking the direction for canal-based city development, while promoting friendship, cooperation and common advancement for canal cities all over the world. We have grown into a structured, influential and international NGO which is focused on inter-city exchanges and cooperation.