Earlier this month the City of Valparaiso helped host a visit from a delegation of Chinese leaders from the Nanhu District of Jiaxing Municipality, Zhejian Province. A highlight of the visit was the signing of an agreement between Valparaiso and the Nanhu District to establish friendly relations. “Going forward, we have established a relationship with Nanhu District. We’re excited to share ideas with them and to learn from their new perspective,” said Mayor Jon Costas.
The relationship between the two cities was initiated in 2010 when a delegation from Valparaiso visited China on a privately funded trip. Valparaiso’s Economic Development Director Matt Murphy was a part of that initial delegation and was on hand when the agreement was signed. “Our Chinese friends can teach us so much and it has been gratifying both to visit them in their surroundings and to host them in our own city,” said Murphy.
According to the agreement, “the two cities will develop and exchange various types of information in the areas of economy and trade, culture, education, sports, public health, government, civil service, and more etc. to promote common prosperity and development.” Valparaiso University’s Confucius Institute has been invaluable in helping to establish the ties between the two cities, providing logistical support and translation service.
Mingyan Zhou, MS4 Operator, City of Valparaiso
Shi Liwen, Vice Director, Population and Family Planning Bureau, Nanhu District, Jiaxing City
Xu Huosheng, Deputy Director, Culture and Sports Affairs Bureau, Nanhu District, Jiaxing City
Sun Lijin, Vice Director, Civilization Office, Nanhu District, Jiaxing City
Jon Costas, Mayor, City of Valparaiso
Zhou Jing, Vice Mayor, People’s government of Nanhu District, Jiaxing
Matt Murphy, Economic Development Director, City of Valparaiso
Liu Jiangang, Associate Director Confucius Institute at Valparaiso University
Huang Liangrong, Director, Environmental Protection Bureau, Nanhu District, Jiaxing City
Jia Diyi, Administrative Committee of Jiaxing International Creative & Culture Industry Park