City Council Approves Sister City Ties With Xiangfan City, China
Xiangfan City, China will join Rostock, Germany, Hull, England and Compienge, France as Raleigh newest Sister City.
On Oct. 20, the Raleigh City Council approved a request for association as a Sister City with Xiangfan, China. Last year, a group of Raleigh citizens lead by James Montague, a businessman and community leader from southeast Raleigh, recommended Xiangfan to the Raleigh Sister Cities Association board. After a nearly year-long process of reviewing and evaluating the request, the board agreed to extend an invitation to the City of Xiangfan to become one of Raleigh's Sister Cities. Before the relationship is finalized it is customary for the Raleigh Sister City Association to receive the support of the City of Raleigh.
Mr. Montague and several other Raleigh residents travelled to Xiangfan City and met with a series of officials there to discuss areas of mutual interest. The delegation was impressed with the enthusiasm of their Chinese counterparts. Their efforts to establish relationships focused on our mutual interest in culinary arts through the program at Wake Tech, the historic character of the 2,800-year-old city, its extensive network of parks and open spaces and its connection to the agricultural region that surrounds it. Mr. Montague told the City council that Xiangfan City's long involvement in programs to address environmental issues and focus on the protection of its green space, water resources and its history is a strong basis on which to build a productive relationship.
Xiangfan or Hsiang-fan city population is approximately 606,100 people with approximately 5.7 million people living in the surrounding area. It is located in the Hubei province in east central China, on the Han River. The city was formed from the merger of the ancient cities of Xiangyang and Fancheng on opposite banks of the Han River and surrounding areas. Xiangfan is a rail junction and an industrial and distribution center. Industries include food and tobacco processing, textiles, automobiles and auto parts, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and aviation. Rural sections of the city grow grains, oil crops, cotton, tobacco, fruits and vegetables and raise hogs, sheep, and poultry.
Prepared by:
Chris Riley
Senior Public Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Department
For More Information Contact:
Gretchen Chapman
Sister Cities Association of Raleigh
1909 Bridgeport Dr
Raleigh, NC 27615
919-828-2276
