Suzhou Delegation Visit to Portland Fall 2014

In October 2014, we extended Portland’s warmest welcome to a very high level delegation from our Sister City Suzhou. The delegation members included: Mr. Zhou, Yulong - Vice Director of Suzhou People’s Congress. Head of delegation. In charge of Agriculture, Economy & Industry for Suzhou.

Mr. Wang, Genwei - Director of Suzhou Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Working Committee, Suzhou People’s Congress

Mr. Zhao, Dexing - Section Chief of Suzhou Culture, Broadcasting, News and Publication Bureau

Mr. Chen, Weijun - Section Chief of Suzhou Reform and Development Commission, & Director of Suzhou Municipal Government to Beijing Liaison Office

Ms. Dorathy Lu - Advisor in Suzhou Foreign Affairs Office

The highlights of their visit included an official meeting with Mayor Charlie Hales in Portland City Hall, a presentation on Portland's "We Build Green Cities" initiatives by Michael Gurton of the Portland Development Commission, and a banquet hosted by the Portland-Suzhou Sister City Association at the University Club.

The delegation also was very warmly welcomed at Nike Campus with a presentation and a walking tour of the campus. They were also able to take in other highlights in Portland and Oregon area.

Their visit was very productive and they expressed interests in the "We Build Green Cities" program and invited the Portland Development Commission for follow-up visits to Suzhou. Our organization helped to make arrangements for the Portland Development Commission's China trip to Suzhou in June 2015.

26th Anniversary Evening Under The Stars Gala July 31, 2014

Portland-Suzhou Sister City Association celebrated its 26th Anniversary

Evening Under The Stars Gala at the Lan Su Chinese Garden on July 31, 2014.

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Andre Wong solo (2)

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Suzhou Week July 29 to Aug 1 2014

The City of Portland celebrated its 26 year of friendship with our Sister City of Suzhou, China during July 29 to August 1, 2014. The Portland-Suzhou Sister City Association (PSSCA) organized an exhibit at the City Hall of Portland with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Mayor Charles Hales and attended by a group a children from the Skybridge International school and other guests and friends.  

Suzhou Week 2014 Ribbon Cutting

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Introducing the newly published book, "In Suzhou" - Wednesday, July 30 3:00pm, 1st Floor, Portland City Hall

The City of Suzhou donated copies of their new book, "In Suzhou", to Portland to be introduced during Suzhou Week celebration.

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"This is Suzhou, an ancient city with 2,500 years’ history. Suzhou is called The City of Gardens in China, and is enjoying a reputation as “The Paradise on Earth.” In the 13th century, Suzhou was hailed as “Oriental Venice” in Travels of Marco Polo. Charles Montesquieu, the French enlightenment thinker, praised Suzhou ancient city for its uncanny workmanship." This book is jointly produced by the Information Office of Suzhou Municipal Government, the Suzhou Education Bureau and the Suzhou Daily Group.  Mayor Hales accepted the books on behalf of the City of Portland.

Drink in the Beauty of Suzhou - Photography Exhibit ( 醉美苏州－傅静中摄影作品展) July 29 to August 1, 9am to 5pm daily, Portland City Hall

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The works by famous Suzhou Photographer, Mr. Jingzhong Fu, have been published in great number of China and international magazines and have been selected to several international renowned photography exhibitions, including French Art International Photography Exhibition, Britain Southern Devonshire International Photography Exhibition, Greek Circuit International Travelling Photography Art Exhibition, Austrian Trierenberg Super Circuit, Iranian Khayyam International Photography Exhibition, Indian PSI International Digital Photography Exhibition, US Washington International Photography Exhibition, Hong Kong Grace International Photography Exhibition, etc.  We were honored to be able to exhibit Mr. Fu's work in Portland in celebration of Suzhou Week 2014.

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Majestic Mountains and Shimmering Water, Oregon Scenery Art Exhibition July 29 to August 1, 9am to 5pm daily, Portland City Hall

In honor of the Suzhou Week 2014, an art exhibit by Portland artist and PSSCA Board member Maihwa Frances Li has been created using acrylic to provide for a series of colorful paintings depicting memorable Oregon sights in all four seasons.  While Ms. Li traveled all over Oregon, she found much natural beauty, similar to Chinese landscapes, majestic mountains, cascading waterfalls, lush forests, scenic beaches, and abundant wild¬life which inspired her for the creation of this exhibition.  For more information, please visit the art exhibit page.

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Both the photography exhibit of beautiful Suzhou scenery and the new book "In Suzhou" were contributions from Suzhou as symbols of the long and strong Sister City relationship between Portland and Suzhou.

Sister Cities International Award, 2014

WASHINGTON, DC March 2014 –Suzhou and Portland, USA has jointly received a US-China Sister Cities Award in the “Economy and Trade” category.

The two cities, along with other award winners, were honored at a special Awards Ceremony on March 27th the Sister Cities International US-China Conference in Washington DC. A delegation from both Portland and Suzhou were in attendance to accept the award. Representing Portland were Martha Pellegrino, Director of Government Affairs; Michael Gurton, Portland Development Commission; Cathy Chinn, PSSCA President; Robert Fraser, PSSCA Immediate Past President and Lynne McIntyre, PSSCA Past President. Representing Suzhou were Mr. Xu Ming, Vice Mayor; Mr. Xu Huadong, Director of Suzhou Foreign Affairs Office and Ms. Dorathy Lu, Suzhou Foreign Affairs Office.

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The awards granted by Sister Cities International, recognize the accomplishments of outstanding US-China sister city programs and their contribution in building strong people to people ties between the two countries.

There are awards in several categories including Best Overall, Longest Relationship. Community Involvement, Youth, Arts and Culture, Economic Development and Trade, Most Innovative and Outstanding Individuals.

Suzhou and Portland established sister cities in 1988. The two cities have cooperated in economy, culture, education and grassroots exchanges ever since.

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Companies from Portland have successfully expanded their companies in Suzhou. Among them is Nike, Inc. which opened a shoe manufacturing plant in Suzhou in 1996 and has based its largest distribution center in Suzhou’s county level city of Taicang in 2011.

The award recognizes the two cities for outstanding achievements in trade and economic exchange. Suzhou is the only city in China to have won in this category. (Both Suzhou Daily and PSSCA contributed to this story.)