FORGING CLOSER TIES WITH CHINA PAGE 10
CITY CELEBRATES 10-YEAR FRIENDSHIP AGREEMENT WITH HARBIN
China, and it is the Sunderland Chinese Students and Scholars Association which has invited the Deputy Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor David Snowdon, to represent the city at the regional event.
The annual gala helps celebrate Chinese New Year, educational and economic ties with China is vital to our country’s future development, and Sunderland’s Friendship Agreement with Harbin is really important to us as a city.
“Sunderland is proud to provide a home to so many students from China while they study here, and I hope they return to their friends and family with fond memories of their time in our city.”
Miss Jiang Yuxin, chairman of the Sunderland Chinese Students and Scholars Association, added: “Sunderland and the North East of England is a home-awayfrom home, but when students come to study in the UK, they really appreciate anything which reminds them of their homes in China.
“Celebrating Chinese New Year together is a really enjoyable way to bring Chinese students from across the North East together, and celebrate their culture at this time of year.”
Most recently, the Leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Graeme Miller was invited to represent the city at the China-Harbin International Sister City Conference.
Here he addressed representatives from many of Harbin’s 36 “sister cities” from 28 countries, on Sunderland’s experience of building strong, long-lasting international partnerships and the mutual social and economic benefits they can bring.