San Leandro – Yangchun Friendship City Delegation Report
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San Leandro – Yangchun Friendship City Delegation Report City Council Meeting November 5, 2007 Arlene Lum & Steven Leung San Leandro – Yangchun Friendship City Resolution . To promote a better understanding and appreciation of the Chinese culture in the San Leandro community through cultural exchanges and enrichment programs . To explore economic development opportunities both in China as well as in the City of San Leandro San Leandro – Yangchun Delegates . Mayor Santos, Councilman Stephens . Assistant City Manager, Steve Hollister . Chamber of Commerce . Asian Community Cultural Association . San Leandro Arts Council . Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker . Zhongshan Association & other community members Delegation Visits 4 3 Zhongshan 1 Yangchun 6 Zhuhai 5 7 2 Formal Greetings & Escorts Delegation Meetings Gift Exchanges Picture Taking Formal Dinners Ample Media Opportunities Yangchun Meeting China Countryside Metropolitan China Other Visits Cultural Experience Cultural Experience Business Expos, Tours & Shopping Delegate Evaluations-Cultural . “I never thought I would go to China. Now that I have, I want to go back and do it all over again.” . “The dancing and stagecraft of the cultural show were world class and left me wanting to return to China to see more.” . “This trip to China offered us the opportunity to see the emergence of a third world nation into a modern Mecca transcended by the aspirations and visions of Dr. Sun Yet Sen”. “…The best potential for exchange exists between the Yangchun-San Leandro school systems. Our interpreters were middle school teachers with a deep interest in our life and culture in San Leandro”. “Although I’ve learned about the Chinese culture from my family, nothing beats having to experience it first hand. While seeing how the Chinese live in China makes me value the culture more and vow to pass it onto others, it also makes me appreciate being raised in America. We have the best of both worlds”. Cultural Enhancement Plans . Display the gifts we collected on this trip in a public venue . Encourage the Asian community through such organizations as the Asian Community Cultural Association (ACCA), to help promote cultural and educational exchange between San Leandro and other cities Share the information we gathered on this trip with the community Expand the number of Asian cultural activities & events in San Leandro Establish on-going e-mail correspondence with the teachers and students abroad so that we can exchange cultural experiences Find families who may be interested in hosting teachers or students who come to visit to learn about the American culture with reciprocal arrangements Encourage schools and other institutions to incorporate Asian art & cultural enrichment activities in their curriculum to expand cultural appreciation Grow our relationship with other cities in Asia so that we can continue to enhance cultural appreciation . Design a kite that represents the San Leandro-Yangchun Friendship City connection and introduce it during the Chinese Lunar New Year festivals Business Evaluation . “This trip certainly was a eye-opener for me. The growth in this region is phenomenal and the need for our products are great. This trip gave us the opportunity to see the potential and witness successful ventures. We now have established contacts who can help us pursue new opportunities”. “The 10-day trade mission to the Guangdong Province of China provided the San Leandro Chamber the opportunity to learn more about which industries the Chamber could form business alliances with to create cooperative agreements between the City of San Leandro and the cities we visited in China. We believe through time, these alliances will result in the creation of more jobs in San Leandro. There are many untapped resources available that will serve to build bridges as we work toward more balanced trade between our countries”. Business Opportunity Plans . Identify import export opportunities that can benefit San Leandro businesses, communicate opportunities, and help facilitate the business ventures . Form a Foreign Affairs Committee in the City of San Leandro for the purpose of building international relationships and rewarding partnerships . Create a City of San Leandro Investment Package to be used as a marketing piece when meeting with prospective business people looking to establish foreign trade with San Leandro . Host business groups and delegations from China and other countries to show the economic benefits available to them for investing in San Leandro Acknowledgements Name Function • Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker • Matchmaker for San Leandro- Yangchun, Introductions • Zhongshan Association • China Contacts, Travel Arrangements & Introductions • Community Relations Staff • Providing Guidance & Preparing Correspondence & Gifts • Victoria Wang & Steven • Translations Leung • Asian Community Cultural • Hosting Orientation Meeting for Association Delegates.