|
Contact:
Annapolis, MD (September 15, 2005) - County Executive Janet S. Owens, on an economic development mission in China, concluded her visit to Sister-City Changde City, Hunan Province, by signing a new agreement with Mayor Chen Junwen. The agreement identifies a number of areas for cooperation including the establishment of direct linkages between the Baltimore-Washington Medical Center and hospitals in Changde, as well as direct ties between the Anne Arundel Community College and the two universities located within the city. The latter will include developing programs in nursing education, English language study and business management.
"I am delighted that we are taking concrete steps to further establish our relationship with Changde City. These programs, coupled with other business and training activities, will strengthen our ties and provide for additional collaboration to benefit our County." commented Ms. Owens. "We received an extraordinary reception in Changde. Mayor Chen and I are committed to taking our relationship to the next stage," she added. "Our business conference on mutual cooperation attracted more than 100 senior business leaders and government officials and allowed for an open exchange of ideas that will clearly lead to some exciting partnerships," remarked the County Executive.
As a result of the agreement, the city will be sending a 17-member delegation to the County in the near future to be briefed on transportation and traffic planning in the County and State. Both sides agreed to promote tourism between the two regions and to assist local companies in developing business ties.
The visit received widespread media attention including two full-pages of coverage in the local papers and reports on local television and radio stations.
Prior to visiting Changde, the delegation was in Beijing for a day where they were briefed by the Minister Counselor for the Foreign Commercial Service and Chief Commercial Officer, Craig Allen. Mr. Allen commended the Executive and delegation for coming to China to develop business relationships, especially by working with local and regional officials.
Also while in Beijing, Ms. Owens met with the Chairman of the Beijing Jockey Club to discuss opportunities for cooperation in the equine sector.
Executive Owens' next stop is Shanghai, the commercial hub of China, where she expects to meet with a number of business and government officials.
|
