CHINA- Anshan our Sister City is the second leading producer of iron and steel in China. They have sponsored their deputy director of economic and foreign affairs to live in Birmingham for one and half years. During this time several business relationships were developed. There are several Birmingham health companies presently working in our Chinese Sister City.
We also have hosted a youth groups and English language camps and as of Aug. 2002 we have begun in partnership with Anshan an English teaching program similar to the Japanese and Hungarian programs. We presently have three Birminghamians working as teachers in Anshan and we are recruiting new teachers all the time! We also have a friendship arrangement with the Chao Yang district of Beijing which includes the airport and most of downtown. This relationship has been very fruitful and involved numerous exchanges of official delegations.
-
June 10-19, 2009 The Birmingham Sister City Commission sponsored a visit to
China. Birmingham has a 13-year relationship with Anshan, China as our
Sister City and 11-year relationship with the Chao Yang District of Beijing
(the site of many large 2008 Olympic venues). While in China the group met
with officials of Chao Yang. After discussion with the staff of Chao Yang
foreign affairs office where plans for future exchanges were made, the
delegation was given a VIP behind the scenes tour of the Olympic venues.
The group met with staff from our northern Sister City of Anshan while in
Beijing. The group then went to Shanghai for a series of meetings with local
business groups. The group included China Committee Co-Chairs Stanley
Erdreich and Leda Summer, Sister City Director Scotty Colson and Renee
Kemp-Rotan - Mayor's Assistant for Capital Projects.
-A Birmingham delegation will visit Anshan June 9-19, 2009. The trip will also include time in Shanghai and the Chaoyang District of Beijing. Still seeking interested trip participants. Contact Scotty Colson, 254-2317.
-We are planning an exchange for this year. The English school in Anshan that featured several Birmingham residents has closed.
-UAB and Anshan Normal have established links. UAB will host a " mini-MBA' program this summer (2007) for Anshan Normal. We will host a delegation of business and government leaders from Anshan June 13-15. They will meet with local cultural, business and government leaders at this time.
