City of Long Beach

LA Chinese Consulate

LBQA Chair Visits Qingdao
June 2004 - Qingdao, China

            Dr. Mary Barton and her husband, Dr. Tom Mayes, visited Qingdao this past June as part of a business trip to China.  ''Although I've been there twice before,'' said Barton, ''my husband had not.  This time I wanted to really see the city!'' 

            Ms. Yu Liying, a friend whom Dr. Barton met in Qingdao in 1997, offered to be their personal tour guide for a week-end.  ''I haven't walked so much in a long time,'' said Barton.  ''It was just what we needed to get a real sense of how the beautiful city is laid out.'' 

            While visiting in Qingdao, Dr. Barton met with officials of the City's Municipal Foreign Affairs Office and from Qingdao University.  ''They were pleased to know we'd like to increase our activities and exchanges,'' said Barton. 

             ''We could visualize the sailing Olympics events off the shore, even though the facilities are not yet even begun,'' she said.  Major plans are underway for revamping the long shoreline of Qingdao, with Beihai Shipyard now moved to new quarters.  The relocation of the shipyard will provide major room for the shoreline development and offshore competitions.