Solano County to host sister city from Ji’an, China

County to host sister city from Ji’an 8/9/2007

Solano County will host an official visit next week from its sister city of Ji’an, People’s Republic of China.

“We are looking forward to the ongoing conversations that will lead to increased opportunities for exchanges in business and education,” said Supervisor John Vasquez, President of the Solano County Partnership for International Friendship and Cultural Exchange.

The six-member delegation from the City of Ji’an will participate in a symposium on Monday to further discussions on educational and business exchange programs between the two regions. The group will also tour the Jelly Belly Candy Company and the University of California, Davis.

The delegation includes the mayor and vice mayor of Ji’an, a city of nearly 5 million people on the Ganjiang River in the Jiangxi Province, and executives from a pesticide and a high-tech company.

“While Solano County does not have the population of our sister city in China, we do share a strong desire to develop the agricultural economies of our respective regions,” Supervisor Vasquez said.

Solano County started the sister city relationship in June 2004 when a group of county officials and community members traveled to Ji’an. The City of Ji’an reciprocated in October 2005. During their visit here, the two communities cemented their sister city relationship in a formal signing ceremony.

A county delegation is planning to travel to Ji’an in late October to participate in the first Jiangxi Conference on Exchanges among International Friendship Cities. The group plans to continue the exploration of common interests in agriculture and processing industries, education, tourism, and other cultural and economic exchange opportunities.

“We have established a strong bond with our sister city, which is the first step in opening the doors of opportunity that will benefit both of our regions,” said County Administrator Michael D. Johnson.

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