Shenzhen started its "pairing assistance" program in 1990, and has since partnered with more than 80 cities and counties in 12 provinces and autonomous regions. At present, Shenzhen is assisting 34 counties (county-level cities, districts) from seven provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. These include: Tashkurgan County in Kashi, Xinjiang; Zayu Farm and Zayu County in Nyingtri Prefecture, Tibet; Shiqu, Dege and Ganzi counties in Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province; Wushan County, Chongqing Municipality; Baise and Hechi in Guangxi; a total of 323 villages in Heyuan and Shanwei cities, Guangdong; Harbin in Heilongjiang Province.