Phoenix celebrates Chengdu connections
People in the US city of Phoenix enjoyed a taste of Chengdu at the weekend with the Chinese city’s celebrated food and culture at the heart of an event celebrating 34 years of sister city ties.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego joined city officials and business and community leaders at the celebrations on Saturday night in Arizona’s capital. The occasion also served to highlight the strong business and cultural connections between the desert city and China more broadly.
Chengdu Mayor Wang Fengchao joined them virtually in extending well-wishes via video at the event, called the Mayor’s International — An Evening in Chengdu.
In an interview with China Daily, Gallego said Phoenix has a deep partnership with the capital of Sichuan province in China’s southwest.
“We have sent young people back and forth. We do business across the communities,” Gallego said.
“When you come to Phoenix, in our big park, one of the first and most beloved things you see is a gift from the people of Chengdu to Phoenix, which is a giant panda.”
Through the sister-city connection, Phoenix and Chengdu have built ties by exchanging youth ambassadors, held competitions between sports teams, and shared artwork between artists.
“We want to recognize our longstanding relationship with Chengdu and celebrate our work together,” the mayor said of the event. “We want to make sure that people in Phoenix know about our strong Chinese-American community here.”
Partnership appreciated
The city really appreciates the partnership, Gallego said. “We have been there for each other in good times and bad times. After the (2008) earthquake, we raised $200,000 to build the kindergarten that was destroyed, and we sent a Phoenix delegation to support that when it was reopened in 2011 to help dedicate the school. So, that has been a wonderful partnership.”
Beyond Chengdu, Phoenix enjoys business ties with China in general. China is the third-largest trading partner of Arizona as well as of Phoenix.
China is the state’s and the city’s second-largest import market and third-largest export market, said
Eric Toll, communication manager at Phoenix Community and Economic Development.
Chinese investments also have gone to Phoenix. Data from the Maricopa Association of Governments shows that Chinese businesses own 18 companies based in Phoenix, with nearly 1,000 employees, Toll said.
Gallego said: “Some of the taller hotels in downtown were built with investment from Chinese. It really changed the skyline of Phoenix with that investment partnership.”
More Chinese companies are looking into the possibility of investing in Phoenix. “We offer a very warm welcome and we can really help any unique need whether it’s a startup or a large company,” Gallego said. “If you are looking for a North American outpost, I think a Chinese company will succeed in Phoenix.
“Even the name of our city, Phoenix, is after the mythical bird that rose. I believe it’s a sign of prosperity, and I hope Chinese companies will feel the same way.”
The Arizona State University, or ASU, campus in Phoenix also has strong ties with China, the mayor said. “We have more than 3,000 students attending ASU, and 9,000 ASU alumni from China.”