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2008 News and Information
Richmond Signs Two Friendship City Agreements in China
26 May 2008Last month, the City of Richmond created two new friendships through the signing of Friendly Cooperation Agreements with Qingdao and Xiamen in China. Richmond chose to pursue friendship city relationships with these cities due to the numerous similarities that exist between Qingdao, Xiamen and Richmond.
“We are excited about the signing of the agreements and working with both these cities to create meaningful relationships between the citizens in our communities,” explains Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “When Council approved the establishment of these relationships, it did so because it recognized the important role such relationships can play in not only fostering economic development opportunities, but also providing our students, sports teams and citizens the chance to take part in valuable cultural exchanges. Richmond already has strong ties with China, and the signing of these relationships will only help strengthen those ties between our two countries.”
Qingdao, on the east coast of China, will host the 2008 Summer Olympic Games sailing events. Its location beside the ocean, with mountains as the backdrop, as well as the city’s commitment to the environment, are just some of the similarities between Qingdao and Richmond.
“This relationship has opened the doors for our Richmond Olympic Business Office staff to communicate and share experiences with the Olympic staff in Qingdao,” says Mayor Brodie. “In June we will also be greeting a delegation of administrators from Qingdao who are coming to Richmond to learn how we educate and train our municipal employees.”
The City also forged a friendly relationship with Xiamen, in the southern part of Fujian Province. Xiamen is also an island city with a new international airport and a light rapid transit system, similar to the Canada Line and is one of the major economic centres in China. Like Richmond, Xiamen is known for its high tech industry as well as agricultural and seafood products.
“In both cities we visited, we were extremely impressed with their endeavours to create green communities,” says Sylvia Gwozd, Chair of Richmond’s Sister City Committee. “Their use of plantings, public art and creation of open public spaces along the waterfront was an inspiration.”
The City of Richmond and the Sister City Committee will work with Qingdao and Xiamen to find ways to foster educational, sports, cultural and business relationships between the cities.
