History
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March 1985
Oregon Congressman David Wu initiates contact with representatives in Suzhou, introducing the idea of a sister city relationship.
September 1985
A delegation led by Portland Commissioner Mike Lindberg visits Suzhou, following Portland Mayor Bud Clark’s request to find the “perfect” sister city for Portland.
June 1988
The agreement establishing a sister city relationship is signed in Portland by Suzhou Mayor Yu Xinde and Portland Mayor Bud Clark.
In anticipation of the event, the Portland-Suzhou Sister City Association has already been formed and approved by the Portland City Council.
Oregon Congressman David Wu is named founding President of PSSCA.
August 1989
Tang Ronglong of the Suzhou Foreign Affairs Office comes to Portland as a visiting scholar at the invitation of Portland State University. He works closely with the Mayor’s Office to develop the sister city relationship. Before Tang Ronglong returns to China in 1990, Mayor Bud Clark names him an honorary citizen of Portland.
October 1990
Roger Luedke, President of the Classical Chinese Garden Society, leads a delegation to Suzhou to discuss the creation of a Suzhou-style garden in the heart of downtown Portland.
May 1992
PSSCA President Conni Diack leads a delegation to Suzhou and presents three tons of textbooks, donated by David Bean. During this visit discussions begin on a Portland-style rose garden in the heart of Suzhou.
September 1993
During a visit to Suzhou led by Portland Commissioner Mike Lindberg, a fire engine donated by the City of Portland is delivered and the Rose Garden Ground Breaking Ceremony takes place.
October 1994
The Rose Garden in Suzhou opens. Portland Mayor Vera Katz leads a delegation from Portland attending the opening ceremony.
May 1995
Friendship agreements are signed between Jackson Middle School and Suzhou #10 Middle School and between Wilson High School and Suzhou High School to exchange students and faculty.
September 1998
A 16-ton Taihu Rock, a gift from Suzhou Mayor Zhang Xinsheng to Portland Mayor Vera Katz, is installed in Terry Schrunk Plaza in downtown Portland. The Taihu rock is a symbol of appreciation for the Suzhou Rose Garden and an expression of dedication to the sister city relationship.
September 2000
The Portland Chinese Classical Garden – Lan Su Yuan – opens.
April 2001
An agreement between the Foreign Affairs Office in Suzhou and Portland State University establishes a program for Suzhou students to begin their undergraduate studies at PSU.
May 2003
"An Evening Under the Stars," PSSCA’s first annual fundraising gala, is held at the Chinese Classical Garden. Tang Ronglong is honored for his work in strengthening the cultural, educational, and economic ties between Portland and Suzhou.
May 2004
At the second annual “Evening under the Stars” fundraising gala, held at the Chinese Classical Garden, the seven students who came from Suzhou in the fall of 2001 to begin their undergraduate studies at Portland State University are honored.
May 2005
Former Portland Mayor Bud Clark, instrumental in the formation of the Portland-Suzhou sister city relationship, is honored at the third annual “Evening under the Stars” fundraising event, held at the Chinese Classical Garden.
May 2006
Former Portland Mayor Vera Katz, a strong supporter of the Portland-Suzhou relationship, is honored at the fourth annual “Evening under the Stars” fundraiser held at the Chinese Classical Garden.
April 2007
Wayne Lei, Director of Environmental Polilcy at Portland General Electric, and Conni Diack, Past President of PSSCA, are honored at the fifth annual "Evening under the Stars" fundraising gala, held at the Portland Classical Garden. They are presented with Awards of Special Merit for building strong relationships between Portland and Suzhou and between Oregon and China. The Royal Rosarians receive a Cultural Achievement Award, and the new Confucius Institute housed at Portland State University is recognized with an Educational Achievement Award.