In a celebration of enduring partnership, a delegation from Zhuhai City, led by Vice Mayor Li Chong, was received by Redwood City Mayor Jeffrey Gee on September 20. The visit coincided with International Sister City Day, marking a significant milestone in the sister-city relationship between Zhuhai and Redwood City that began over three decades ago.

A delegation from Zhuhai City, led by Vice Mayor Li Chong, is received by Redwood City Mayor Jeffrey Gee on September 20. (Photo provided by Foreign Affairs Office of Zhuhai Municipality)

Gee extended a warm welcome to the delegation at City Hall, where he presented Zhuhai with a commemorative souvenir symbolizing the cities' shared history and aspirations for future collaboration. The gift, a testament to over three decades of sister-city relations, encapsulates the landmarks of both cities, reflecting the depth of their alliance and the mutual achievements they have fostered.

Redwood City Mayor Jeffery Gee presents Zhuhai with a commemorative souvenir, which encapsulates the landmarks of both cities. (Photo provided by Foreign Affairs Office of Zhuhai Municipality)

The two cities have seen extensive and productive exchanges in economy and trade, education, culture, and personnel training, continually invigorating grassroots connections between China and the United States. The meeting reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing practical cooperation, with a focus on people-to-people interactions and youth cultural exchanges, aiming to chart a new course of friendship and collaboration.

A highlight of the visit was the tree-planting ceremony at Red Morton Park, where Li and Gee jointly planted a friendship tree. A Chinese white oak, a rare species in America, was chosen to mirror the one in Zhuhai, serving as a living symbol of the cities' strong bond and shared growth.

Vice Mayor Li Chong and Redwood City Mayor Jeffrey Gee jointly plant a friendship tree at Red Morton Park, Redwood City. (Photo provided by Foreign Affairs Office of Zhuhai Municipality)

During their visit, the delegation also met with California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, who commended the cities for their contributions to fostering friendly ties, highlighting their role as a model for local-level exchanges between China and the United States.

Redwood City, strategically located in the San Francisco Bay Area and home to major tech companies like Oracle and Electronic Arts, has been a pivotal sister city for Zhuhai.

The visit concluded with a mutual agreement to diversify and expand their friendly cooperation, aligning with the interests of both communities. As Zhuhai and Redwood City look to the future, they are poised to continue nurturing their partnership, ensuring its vitality and relevance in the evolving landscape of international city diplomacy.