Since Chicago’s sister city relationships with Shenyang and Shanghai began more than 20 years ago, the partners have pursued a wealth of exchanges and interactions. Below is a timeline of key events; click on the links for details and news of related activities.
1985: Formal Parnerships Began
Chicago signed a Sister City agreement with Shenyang and a Friendship City agreement with Shanghai.
1992: Culture
A poet from Shenyang was a special guest of Chicago Sister Cities during the Chicago Poetry Festival at Navy Pier in June of 1993. He also read at the semi-final event held at the Chicago Cultural Center.
1992: Environment
Ten delegates of the Liaoning Provincial Environmental Protection Bureau, China, met with their counterparts in Chicago to improve their approach to environmental protection.
1993: Culture
Artists Zheng Bo and Xiang Tai Lu, from Shenyang and Shanghai, respectively, participated in the 1993 International Terminal Mural Project at O’Hare International Airport.
1993: Economic Development
A delegation from Shanghai met with members of the Chinese American Chamber of Commerce and City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development’s International Trade Services to discuss strengthening ties between Chicago and Chinese Sister Cities and Chicago.
1994: Economic Development
A delegation from the Commerce Office of Shenyang, led by Mr. Yu Zhanghuai, investigated the possibility of opening an office in Chicago for the Shenyang Foreign Economic Relations & Trade Corporation, a subsidiary of the city government. The delegation also met with the Chicago World Trade Center Association to discuss organizing a major trade fair in Chicago.
1994: Government
A Shanghai delegation led by mayoral representative Mr. Chen Lianyu and several other Shanghai city government officials met with Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Lois Weisberg. The delegation also met with the Chicago Board of Trade, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and the architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
1994: Government
Lincoln Park Zoo hosted a two-week gorilla management and conservation program course for Shanghai and Beijing zoo directors and key staff. The program provided the opportunity for Chinese zoo keepers to learn Lincoln Park Zoo’s approach to visitor education, organizational management issues, revenue producing activities, and finance and accounting. CSCIP played a key role in hosting the zoo officials.
1995: Economic Development
Mayor Zhang of Shenyang led a delegation of 22 to Chicago for a series of economic development meetings.
Results: The China Committee arranged for the delegation, which included the Vice-Mayor, heads of financial institutions, and the Directors of the Planning & Economic Development and Foreign Trade Committees, to meet with major Chicago corporations and banks to discuss economic development opportunities. Additionally, Mayor Daley and Mayor Zhang signed an agreement at a business development forum sponsored by the Mid-America Committee reaffirming their intent to promote strong partnerships between the two cities.
1995: Economic Development
A delegation from the Shenyang Municipal Commission of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade visited Chicago and met with Chicago Sister Cities and representatives from the Department of Planning and Development.
1996: Culture
Eight journalists from Shanghai were hosted by a collective group of the Chicago Sister Cities International Program, the Boeing Company, and the International Press Center. The delegation lunched with their counterparts from the local media and dined with the ad hoc Chicago-China Sister Cities Committee.
1996: Economic Development
Eight municipal department heads from Shenyang, came to Chicago serving as an advance team to plan a trade conference in Chicago for October 1996.
1996: Economic Development
The director of the Shenyang Office of Foreign Affairs met with major Chicago TV stations to discuss a TV station partnership between Shenyang and Chicago, the first such U.S./China relationship.
1997: Culture
Dr. Ann Feldman traveled to China to interview and record Chinese women in music for the U.S. national radio series, "Noteworthy Women". This series is syndicated throughout the United States. Dr. Feldman was funded by the Chicago Artist International Program and the China Committee.
1997: Culture
A Hubei Provincial News Delegation came to the United States. The delegation of 10 met with the local media, and toured the Chicago Cultural Center and other sites.
1997: Culture
A 200-piece Shanghai photo exhibit called "Shanghai, Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow" came to Chicago. The exhibit was displayed at the Harold Washington Library, the Daley Center and the international terminal at O’Hare International Airport.
1998: Culture
The China Committee hosted a breakfast featuring Chinese female composer Chen Yi at the Chicago Cultural Center
1998: Culture
A watercolor exhibit from Shanghai and photographs from Shenyang were exhibitied at the Chicago Cultural Center and Daley Plaza
1998: Culture
A World in a Weekend featured China.
1998: Economic Development
Committee Co-Chair spoke at seminar on China hosted by IIT/ChinaOnline
1998: Economic Development
The China Committee Co-Chair and City of Chicago Chief Financial Officer represented Chicago during Shenyang・s Friendship Month and met with Mayor Mu in Shenyang.
1998: Fundraiser
The China Committee held its first annual Chinese New Year fundraiser.
1998: Government
The China Committee hosted a delegation from the Shenyang People・s Congress.
1999: Education
Chicago legal experts conduct China legal aid workshops in Shanghai.
1999: Culture
The China Committee hosted the visit of cultural and work force delegations from Shenyang.
1999: EconomicDevelopment
U.S. Ambassador to China James Sasser met with China Committee members to discuss plans for a delegation of business and cultural leaders who will travel to Shenyang, Shanghai and Beijing.
1999: Government
The China Committee was awarded $134,000 by the United States Information Agency to carry out a one-year long Rule of Law Exchange that was carried out through 2000.
Results: The program closely followed the USIA・s Rule of Law Program and the goals outlined by President Clinton and Jiang (October 1997) with regard to Cooperation in the Field of Law.
The exchange concentrated on four areas: 1) the strengthening of the administrative law system, 2) promoting those parts of the western adversarial trial model (e.g., rules of evidence) which enable the defendant to receive a fair trial, 3) adopting strategies for enforcing foreign court judgments and foreign arbitration awards, and 4) establishing models of law firm administration which incorporate principles of responsibility. This exchange drew on professionals from the Shanghai Bureau of Justice, East China Law School, Jilin University of Law, Chicago Bar Association and the faculty of the John Marshall Law School in Chicago. These workshops provided the equivalent of 160 hours of legal education to participants.
1999: Government
Thirty-two government officials from Liaoning Province (Shenyang) started a one-year MBA program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The China Committee welcomed the group and assisted throughout the program.
2000: Economic Development
The China Committee led 60 participants on a business mission to Chicago・s Sister Cities Shenyang and Shanghai, and Beijing from June 9-18, 2000. The Shanghai portion of the trip also included briefings by the U.S. Consul General, dinner hosted by the City of Shanghai and a gala cultural performance. The Shenyang itinerary was a combination of site visits, meetings, and cultural tours.
Results: This trip laid the groundwork for future exchanges with China. With representatives from some of the most prominent Chicago-based companies and legal organizations, the trip opened doors to creating Chicago-China business partnerships. A conference in Shanghai showcased elements of the action plan designed by the Mayor・s Council of Technology Advisors. Breakout sessions addressed I.T. infrastructure development, access to capital, e-commerce, workforce training, and intellectual property.
2001: Medicine
The China Committee sent a delegation of Chicago’s top pediatric specialists and hospital administrators to China in April to meet their Chinese counterparts and provide services that will impact countless numbers of children and set the stage for enhanced communication in the healthcare field between Chicago and China.
Results: The doctors and medical associates spent two days in children・s hospitals in both Beijing and Shanghai, making rounds, giving lectures, providing clinical consultation and performing basic surgical procedures on children.
This nurtured the relationship between Chicago and China・s medical communities and share best practices of Western and traditional Eastern medicine to improve healthcare for our citizens・ mutual benefit.
2002: Government
A series of video teleconference seminars took place April 2, 9, and 16 to introduce the Shanghai Public Security Bureau and others to Chicago’s experience preparing for and responding to airport disasters and hazardous materials incidents.
Unit One introduced the Shanghai audience to the general principles and practical application of emergency response preparedness and the International Incident Command System for emergency response planning and implementation. Topics included: Identifying and Classifying Hazardous Materials Incidents (Water, Ground, Air and Airport Releases); Various Response Agencies and their Roles in Response Preparedness (Fire Department, Police Department, Emergency Response Center, Department of Aviation, Department of the Environment, and Department of Public Health); Organization of Incident Response-Best Practices; Structure and Authority in the Incident Command System, and the Role of Private Firms and Facilities in Response Preparedness.
Unit Two presented an introduction to emergency response planning principles and requirements at the operational level. Topics included: Risk analysis and emergency response plans; Training and Assignment of Personnel; Equipment Needs and Supply Chain Issues, and Communication and Cooperation among Various Organizations.
Unit Three introduced the participants to the basic procedures and their requirements for actual emergency response incidents. Topics included: Mobilization Strategies and the Different Requirements of Various Operations such as Airports, Waterways and Land Spills; Personal Protective Equipment for Response Personnel; Spill Control Techniques and Equipment; Responder Safety and Health Concerns; Public Health Response Requirements, and Public Communication and Information.
2002: Education
Through the Sister Schools Abroad Program, an Education delegation from Shenyang (including the Vice Director of Shenyang Educational Committee and several school principals) visited their Sister Schools in Chicago; Ortiz de Dominguez Elementary, Madero Middle School and Northside College Prep. The visits took place from April 20 through April 22.
Results: The visit further strengthened the friendly exchange of knowledge and cooperation in the field of education and investigated the development and administration of education in the U.S.A..
2003: Fundraising
The 1920’s themed "Swinging Shanghai" fundraiser took place September 6 at Maxim’s, benefiting the Committee.
2003: Government
On October 27and 28, the Honorable Chen Zhenggao, Mayor of Shenyang, visited Chicago with a delegation of government officials. The delegation met with Mayor Daley and attended several business meetings.
2003: Government
A delegation from Shanghai, headed by Mr. Gong Xueping, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People・s Congress, visited Chicago in November. Other members of the delegation included Mr. Sun Yunshi, Secretary General of the Standing Committee of Shanghai Municipal People・s Congress; Mr. Shao Huixiang, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipality; Mr. Xie Tianfang, Chairman of the Legal System Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People・s Congress; Mr. Kong Changming, Vice-Chairman of the Personnel and Deputy Affairs Commission; and others.
Results: The visit strengthened the friendship between the two cities. The delegation studied local parliament・s functions and legislation, and the planning and development of the city・s culture, media, education and tourism endeavors. It also sparked plans for future cooperation and exchanges.
2004: Medicine, Sports
A delegation from Chicago visited Chicago・s Sister Cities, Shenyang and Shanghai in April. The delegation included healthcare professionals with expertise in public health, infection control, bioterrorism prevention, sports and exercise medicine safety, injury prevention, rehabilitation and triage.
The purpose of this visit was to collaborate with colleagues in China to develop sustainable and replicable educational programs designed to address the learning needs of local healthcare providers, civic leaders, and the business community to meet current needs and ensure a system-wide approach to safety and health for the Olympic Games. As co-collaborators, local expertise and resources of both communities were used.
Results:
1) Participants established strategic partnerships with the Chinese Medical community leading to the creation of ongoing educational and interventional programs.
2) Provided opportunities for Chicago・s healthcare and community leaders to study China・s comprehensive approach to epidemic control and surveillance.
3) Created a collaborative relationship with the philanthropic community (Rotary clubs) in support of medical exchange programs.
4) Increased potential for economic development between Chicago and China.
5) Collaborated with nursing associations that provided consultations, workshops, and training to ensure appropriate utilization of local resources.
6) Participants can now better allay patient/family anxiety and enhance favorable public perception of emergency interventions.
7) Ensured core competencies in hazard surveillance and detection, including procedures for notifying public health and security officials, and methods for enhancing situational awareness and personal safety.
8) Shared protocols for personal protection during mass casualty incidents, health threats and methods of treatment, and the role of the individual health care provider within the overall public health system.
9) Identified the educational needs for local government officials and other community policymakers.
10) Helped ensure that day-to-day systems of emergency care will be sustainable for the Olympic Games as well as for responding to routine community medical emergencies.
2004: Government
A delegation from Shenyang visited Chicago from June 1 through June 3. The delegation included Mr. Fang Xiangdong, Director, Shenyang Foreign Affairs Office; Mr. Ma Lixin, Deputy Chief of Protocol and Information; and Ms. Yang Zhuo, Deputy Chie of International Cooperation Department.
The purpose of the visit was
1) To discuss the 20th Anniversary (2005) of the Sister Cities relationship between Shenyang and Chicago.
2) To share best practices and explore areas of exchange to promote trade, economic development, cultural awareness and educational opportunities between Shenyang and Chicago.
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