Long Beach - Qingdao Sister Cities Association
One World Trade Center, Suite 1155. Long Beach, CA 90831 Tel:562.901.3081 Fax:562.901.3082
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An International Sister Cities Affiliate Long Beach - Qingdao Sister Cities Association One World Trade Center, Suite 1155. Long Beach, CA 90831 Tel:562.901.3081 Fax:562.901.3082 |
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VISIT FROM QINGDAO MAYOR XIA GENG & DELEGATION September 16-17, 2007 By: Mary E. Barton, Ph.D. Mayor Xia Geng, Madame Zhao Xuefeng, and a delegation of 15 others (see delegation list below) visited Long Beach in order to promote their sailing events for the 2008 Olympics and to discuss cooperation areas between our two cities. Mayor Bob Foster’s staff—especially Becki Ames and William Doll—served as the chief coordinators, since they were officially alerted of the visit by Mme. Zhao’s representative in the Office of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Wang Li (Frances). In addition, the public relations firm of Capstone Global was involved in the planning, since they have been contracted to run a promotional event, Focus China, in May in Qingdao, as preparation for the Olympic games in August. Ms. Li arrived Saturday, Sept. 15, and we met over a lovely homemade Italian dinner at David Zanatta’s house, including his family, Mingyi Chen, Diane Jacobus, Margaret Brewer and her husband, and myself. Sunday. Mayor Foster, who was out of town with Ms. Ames, was unable to meet the delegation, so several of us met at the Renaissance Hotel to ride to the airport together in vans the City had borrowed from Fleet Services, as well as a special car for Mayor Xia. After the delegation was safely in their hotel, they rested briefly prior to a reception on the Queen Mary.With the dramatic Long Beach skyline in the background, Mayor Xia, Long Beach Vice-Mayor Bonnie Lowenthal, and the president of Capstone Global invited everyone to attend Focus China in Qingdao next May, and invited U.S. companies to sponsor the event for brand recognition. Approximately 60 people attended. Following the reception, the delegation attended a festive and sumptuous “welcome dinner” hosted by Keesal, Young and Logan in their Executive Dining Room at 400 Oceangate. Approximately 40 people attended, including Ambassador Zhang Yun, Los Angeles Consul General, and Vice-Mayor Lowenthal. The event started with a receiving line, for those who had not yet had a chance to meet the visiting dignitaries. Mayor Xia greeted each one personally, including Ms. Jenna Rose Blaustein, whose 17-year-old son has just moved to Qingdao for his last year of high school. In addition to the wonderful cuisine of Chef William Hall (a sumptuous feast of gazpacho, prawns, risotto and fresh fruit dessert), the highlight of the evening was the presentation by LBQA of a proposal for cooperation in the four areas requested by Qingdao. They are: 1. Regatta and marina management, presented by Mr. Chas Merrill of Alamitos Bay Yacht Club; 2. Tourism, conventions & exhibitions, presented by Alain Sarfatti; 3. Volunteer cooperation, presented by Margaret Brewer; and 4. Government official training, presented by Dr. Ken Curtis, of California State University, Long Beach. Gifts were exchanged, and the LBQA presented a signed print by Robert Senske showing the Long Beach skyline and sailboats, oil islands, and the Queen Mary. Mayor Xia presented the city an embroidery of a sailboat named Qingdao, a memento of the forthcoming Olympic regatta. Mayor Foster’s office presented Mayor Xia with a beautiful, cut crystal, footed bowl. Monday. Monday morning, the LBQA hosted a “working breakfast” for the visitors at the Shoreline Yacht Club, adjacent to the newly restored downtown marina. Forty-four people attended, including Commodore Eric Peterson of the yacht club; Mr. Dave Geoffroy, Executive Director of the Southern California Marine Association; Mark Sandoval, Dir., L.B. Marine Bureau; Harbor Commissioners James Hankla and Dr. Mike Walter; Mr. Tom Shadden, coordinator for the 1984 Olympic regatta; Mr. Steve Goodling, CEO of the Convention & Visitors Bureau; Mr. Lee P. Lanselle, of Asia Parks Ltd., and many others.All attendees introduced themselves to the group, so that everyone was identified. Mr. Goodling narrated a video about the 2004 Olympic Swim Trials held in Long Beach. He spoke briefly about the impressive work of the CVB, offering to provide assistance to Qingdao in those areas (per their request). Following breakfast, Mr. Sandoval invited the Qingdao group to step outside for some information about how the marina is managed (per their request). Meanwhile, Mr. Wu Tei Jun, Director General of the Qingdao Bureau of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, presented a very informative Power Point presentation about the tremendous changes in Qingdao. At ten o’clock, Mayor Xia and the delegation boarded a beautiful new tour bus supplied by Long Beach Transit. Dr. Mary Barton, Ms. Mingyi Chen, and Ms. Jeanette Kong (LBQA intern) joined them for a narrated and translated tour of the City, following the coast from Shoreline Village to Ocean Blvd., past the Art Museum, U.S. Sailing Center, Belmont Shore, and the Alamitos Bay Marina (which elicted a major “Aa-hh” from the visitors), and finally through the campus of California State University, Long Beach. Then it was time to head for the airport, where Ms. Chen negotiated a “group check-in” with American Airlines, and the delegation was last seen waving good-by from the security line. The group, in a multi-city promotion for the Olympics and other business, next headed for Miami. * * *
The delegation included: Mr. Xia Geng Mayor, Qingdao Municipal Government Photos:
Related Links: Thank you letter from Mayor Xia Geng (English) Link to more photos on LBQA blog
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