Tag Archives: Sister Cities

Celebrated U.S.-China relationship at Chinese Reconciliation Park

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Photo of welcome to Chinese Reconciliation Park

Flags wave and tigers dance to welcome Minister Qiu to Chinese Reconciliation Park

We welcomed China’s Minister  Qiu Yuan Ping to Chinese Reconciliation Park yesterday. Minister Qiu’s visit builds on Tacoma’s Sister City relationship with Fuzhou, and is part of China’s official visit to the United States. President Xi visits Seattle and Tacoma this week.

The special ceremony included speakers from Tacoma Public Schools, Chief Leschi School, The Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Tacoma City Council, and Chinese Reconciliation Project Foundation. Two students from Tacoma’s Sherman Elementary were honored to present flowers and meet the minister.

Photo of Minister Qiu

Chinese Minister Qiu speaks at the Fuzhou Ting in Tacoma

Minister Qiu — the Minister of Overseas Chinese Commission in the China State Department — recognized the importance of Chinese workers in helping build the transcontinental railroad in the United States. The railroad strengthened America’s economy, and its terminus was Tacoma.

Minister Qiu emphasized education and collaboration in the U.S.-China relationship. Many Tacoma-based schools and colleges were represented at the ceremony, including Bates Technical College, Pacific Lutheran University and University of Puget Sound. They offer exchange programs and opportunities to learn about and study in China.

On Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Tacoma’s Lincoln High School. Nathan Gibbs-Bowling, a teacher at Lincoln, was just named the Washington teacher of the year. President Xi will visit Mr. Bowling’s government class. This video shows how the students are preparing for this historic visit.

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More photos from the event at Chinese Reconciliation Park are available on Flickr:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/engagenorthwest/albums/72157656606146903

Engage with Chinese delegation in Tacoma

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Before meeting President Obama, the President of China will visit Washington, including a stop in Tacoma on September 23. As the News Tribune reports, President Xi Jinping will visit Tacoma’s Lincoln High School. His visit is an honor, and it emphasizes the importance of Tacoma in the U.S.-China relationship.

“Tacoma is an international port city,” as Mayor Marilyn Strickland says in a press release. The city has established economic, cultural, and educational ties with China, and President Xi previously visited Tacoma when he worked for Fuzhou nearly 21 years ago. He helped establish the Tacoma-Fuzhou Sister City relationship.

Photo of kids with Princess

The Moon Princess poses at the Fuzhou Ting during Chinese Moon Festival 2014

Thanks to the people of Fuzhou, Tacoma’s waterfront features a beautiful Fuzhou Ting in the Tacoma Chinese Reconciliation Park.

The community will have several opportunities to engage with the Chinese delegation during their visit. As indicated in the World Affairs Council Tacoma’s recent newsletter, the World Trade Center Tacoma and World Affairs Council Tacoma will host several events for the Chinese delegation and Tacoma community:

  • Reconciliation Park Celebration, Sept. 21, 9:30 a.m. at Chinese Reconciliation Park. Please arrive by 9 a.m. Free!
  • Fuzhou-Tacoma Sister Cities photo exhibit, opening ceremony, Sept. 22, 10 a.m. at Old Post Office, 1102 A Street. Free!
  • PNW-China Trade & Investment Summit Wine Social, Sept, 22, 6 – 8 p.m. at Old Post Office, 1102 A Street. Free!
  • PNW-China Trade & Investment Summit Luncheon, Sept. 23, Noon to 1:30 p.m. at Hotel Murano, 1320 Broadway Ave. $40.
  • World Affairs Council: Consular Association Reception, Sept. 24, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Annie Wright Schools, 827 N. Tacoma Ave. $40 for members; $50 for nonmembers.

How excited is Tacoma about this historic visit? Check out this KING 5 video and KUOW radio broadcast about how Lincoln High School is preparing! Teacher Nate Bowling tweets:

Engage Northwest will be at many of these events — hope to see you there, too! Let’s give the Chinese delegation a warm welcome and show our appreciation for this wonderful, international relationship!

Photo of Lincoln HS

Lincoln HS gets ready for President Xi’s visit

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