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Tianjin, China
First established under the Song Dynasty 960 A.D., Tianjin has been the economic lifeline to the capital city of Bejing. Located on the Hai River, it was an important 19th century port that acquired British, French and Japanese flavor. Since Tianjin is the largest coastal opening in northern China, it quickly became a modernized port and important economic center. There are approximately 9 million people that live in Tianjin. Their products, such as textiles, chemicals, rubber and metallurgical items, have become highly competitive in the domestic and world markets. In recent years, they created the Tianjin Economic Development Area where many international companies have invested and established company sites within the city. Tianjin is home to China's first university and since its pairing with Philadelphia in 1980, many educational, trade, cultural and professional exchanges have taken place. The famous Gate in Philadelphia's Chinatown was a gift from Tianjin and was recently restored.
In Tianjin, Philadelphia's Sister City and third largest in China, new exchange and dual bachelor's - master's degree programs that will begin accepting students in 2011 were established at Nankai and Tianjin Normal universities. Additionally, in Shanghai, the Temple delegation visited the Pennsylvania Center and met with Jimmy Yoh, a member of the Board of Visitors of the College of Science and Technology, to learn about the Americanexpatriate experience and activities in higher education in China.
In October, Vice Mayor Ren Xue-feng of Tianjin visited Philadelphia for a quick visit with two officials.They met privately with Mayor Nutter in his office and presented a beautiful picture book of Tianjin.Vice Mayor Ren also toured the Navy Yard and met with Will Agate, Vice President of Navy Yard Management & Development for PIDC.Deputy Mayor Alan Greenberger joined the delegation The Pennsylvania Chinese American Chamber of Commerce sponsored their welcome dinner.
The photos below are from Mr. Song Jinchang's visit to Philadelphia in January, 2011. Mr. Song is the Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office, Tianjin Municipal People's Government, and is responsible for creating the Sister City relationship with Philadelphia. He and his six-member delegation visited Philadelphia for one day to meet with Mayor Nutter and Deputy Mayor Alan Greenberger. They also enjoyed a private tour of Independence National Historical Park and were hosted for lunch at City Tavern and dinner at Ristorante Panorama.
Above are photos of a delegation that visited Philadelphia in November 2010 to meet with Mayor Nutter. The delegation was sponsored by the Tianjin Municipal Commission of Economic Development and Reform. They were from the Tianjin Binhai District which has had a multi-billion dollar infusion of funds from the Chinese government for economic development, especially clean technology.
Below are photos from a Binhai delegation that visited Philadelphia in July 2010. While in Philadelphia, they met with Deputy Mayor Greenberger, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and Select Greater Philadelphia. Their visit coincided with the opening of the Philadelphia-Tianjin Business Development Council.
Ms. Ren and her mother, Ms. Zhao, from Tianjin, recently visited the U.S. to look at high schools. After arriving in New York, they visited schools in Connecticut and then travelled to Philadelphia for three days. Our office arranged for her to meet with school officials from Friends Select and William Penn Charter.
On November 19, 2008, Mayor Michael A. Nutter joined the delegation from Philadelphia’s Chinese Sister City, Tianjin, at a rededication and lighting ceremony of the Friendship Gate in Chinatown. Read more. View the gallery. Read an article.
Citizen diplomacy engages citizens in international relations. Meeting counterparts and experiencing everyday American life provides an authentic & more accurate view of the "real" U.S.
