By JESSICA KERMAN
A group of eight people from the Yuhang District in China toured Anderson on Friday.
The delegates came to the city to strengthen a bond between Anderson and Hangzhou, the largest city in the district. In November 2006, Mayor Kevin Smith visited Hangzhou during his trip to China. He also visited Shanghai and Ningbo.
“We’ve had a very good day,” Smith said Friday afternoon. “Our goal last year was a business exchange, a friendship exchange and educational exchange. What’s great is that they brought with them a business delegation, educational delegation and government delegation.”
Community leaders including Smith, Mayor-elect Kris Ockomon and others joined the group for a tour through several parts of Anderson.
The day started with an informal breakfast at the city building, then a press conference where the delegation presented a promotional video of their district. The group then visited Anderson University and the Falls School of Business, the Paramount Theatre Centre and the Flagship Enterprise Center.
“I think this was obviously a very beneficial visit for Anderson and (the delegation),” Smith said.
Representatives from each place had translated signs and business cards to give to the delegation.
Chris Williams, spokesman for Anderson University, said the university spent some time preparing for the visit.
“It’s a cultural experience for them, but at the same time, we want to make them feel comfortable,” he said.
During the visit, Deputy Magistrate of Yuhang District, Hangzhou, Xu Meijuan started suggesting ideas for educational and cultural exchanges between Anderson and China.
“They’ve asked if the Anderson Symphony Orchestra would go out there and if the Anderson youth ballet would go out there,” Smith said.
Likewise, Smith said, the district would send a traditional performing group to Anderson.
Also, the district has a polytechnical college that has similar concentrations as Purdue University.
“We’re on the cusp on a meaningful exchange between our two communities,” Smith said.
