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Education the Focus of Anyang Delegation Visit to Lethbridge

Jun 16, 2016 | 1:20 PM

LETHBRIDGE – Lethbridge officials welcomed high ranking municipal and government officials as well as educational leaders from Anyang China, on Thursday (June 16) for a two-day visit. There will be a special focus on economic exchange and fostering cultural ties.

The five-member delegation, accompanied by an interpreter and guide, met with Mayor Chris Spearman, City Council members and representatives from Economic Development Lethbridge, Lethbridge School District No. 51 and Holy Spirit Catholic School Division.

“It’s a pleasure to welcome the Anyang delegates to our city,” said Mayor Spearman.

“You can’t survive on a local market; we need to understand each other. It’s an interesting concept to have a sister city with a population of over five-million.”

In a meet-and-greet Wednesday morning, both parties exchanged gifts and promised to honour their agreement reached in 2005, where delegations from Anyang and Lethbridge voiced their mutual wish to enhance understanding and friendship between Chinese and Canadian people.

This year the Anyang trip focuses on education.

The special visitors will tour several local schools in the public and separate school divisions and converse with representatives from Lethbridge County and Palliser Regional Schools.

On Friday, the delegation will visit Lethbridge College, the University of Lethbridge and explore the Oldman River Valley.

The delegation also extended the offer for Lethbridge representatives to visit Anyang at their convenience.

Spearman said that they are considering the offer, but would like to team-up with the provincial government delegations to China as to use their resources and translators.

Spearman stressed the importance of Lethbridge being represented, as economic opportunities expand for Alberta.