Tianjin Updates

Tianjin and Philadelphia celebrate 40 years of sister city relationship

(exploringtianjin.com)

Updated: 2019-03-20

31f5c12da2963ddb7982cd89e3d1baf.png

The Chinatown Friendship Gate is pictured in Philadelphia. [Photo/Xinhua]

Tianjin marks the 40 years of sisterhood with its US partner Philadelphia.

Bearing similarities in port, science and cultural diversity with Tianjin, Philadelphia became one of the first US cities to establish a sister city relationship with Tianjin in December of 1979.

The "sisterhood" between Tianjin and Philadelphia have been growing in the 40 years.

"We are one of the firsts. We honor it. We want to do it well," said Samuel K. Chueh, director of international business at Philadelphia Department of Commerce.

Past 40 years of China-US relations have helped advance the development of the two countries, which have interacted on such an extensive scale and influenced each other in so many ways, including education, commerce and culture.

Both cities see greater potential connectivity to tap on due to their similar development focuses, such as life science industry, ports and logistics.

The foreign direct investment to Philadelphia from China in biotech industry is five times higher than that of Boston from 2010 to 2016, according to Brookings Institution. In June, Tianjin will send delegations to attend the BIO International Convention in Philadelphia whose excellence in the field will support the life science development in China.

Siobhan Lyons, president and CEO of Citizen Diplomacy International pointed to the Philadelphia’s advantage in accessibility, cost-effectiveness and educated workforce over the other city on the east coast of the US.

A Sister City Scholarship was established to allow Tianjin high school graduates to study at Drexel University in 1998. Over the years, more universities have been included. Other people exchanges also include a year-long "internship" with Philadelphia's finance department.

The cultural exchanges between the two cities are also seeing expansion. Philadelphia Orchestra, the first U.S. orchestra to perform in China in 1973, is returning to China in May for the 11th time to play.

Copyright ©  Tianjin Municipal Government. All rights reserved. Presented by China Daily.
京ICP备13028878号-35