City of Cleveland

Office of the Council

Brian J. Cummins Councilman, Ward 14
Committees: Public Service Vice Chair Aviation & Transportation Community & Economic Development Public Safety Public Utilities; Sub-Committee: Sustainability Community Relations Board

MEDIA RELEASE
Greater Cleveland delegation visits Zhngshn, China, to strengthen established ties with political, business and civic leaders
April 13th, 2013 Cleveland, Ohio A diverse delegation of nine people from Greater Cleveland are visiting Zhngshn, China, from April 13th through April 19th. The delegation is being led by Jiashan Huang, President of Cleveland Chinatown Development, and Cleveland City Councilman Brian Cummins. The delegation is representing the Cleveland Chinese Friendship Council, an association of interested parties working to establish an official Sister City relationship between the City of Cleveland and the City of Zhngshn. Zhngshn officials visited Cleveland in October 2012 on the occasion of the completion and grand opening of Clevelands old Chinatown that includes a newly renovated restaurant, The Emperors Palace and apartments. The $2 million development attracted new investors from Zhngshn who worked in collaboration with Jiashan Huang and Jason Lin, President, Lins Omni Development, who oversaw the project. Zhngshn is located in Quandong province, which has the largest in population and share of GDP of all 34 Chinese provinces. Zhngshn is considered one of three small Tigers driving growth and economic development in South China. The city is located just three hours from Hong Kong. The Guangdong connection is very meaningful because many of Greater Clevelands Chinese immigrants were from that area of southern China known as Canton, Cummins said. Jason Lin added In recent years weve seen a resurgence of cultural activities, such as the successful Asian Festival and investment in real estate and interest in high school and university programs from Chinese nationals. We have assisted students in applying and being accepted at Baldwin Wallace University and St.Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School.

City Hall Room 216 601 Lakeside Avenue Cleveland, OH 44114 (216) 664-4238 Fax (216) 664- 3837 bcummins@clevelandcitycouncil.org

Citing population and economic impact benefits, Richard Herman explained, Today, Greater Cleveland has more than 6,000 international students who add more than $120 million to the local economy. The Cleveland delegation will meet with the Mayor of Zhngshn Municipal Peoples Government as well as Zhngshn government officials; officials from the City of Zhngshn and Guangdong Province Educational, Economic Development and Cultural Affairs Agencies; and local business persons and civic associations. The agenda for delegation meetings and field visits includes the following topics and issues: 1. Economic development: Renewable energy sector (solar, wind); technology (biomedical, aerospace, automotive, LED lighting; advanced-manufacturing; and urban aquaculture. 2. Education: University and high school exchange programs; university partnership development. 3. Cultural Exchange: Cross-promotion of our cities assets; cultural exchanges between cities. 4. Political: Understanding the role of national and local government structures in developing business, education and cultural programs. The delegation will be sharing with their Chinese counterparts information and brochures provided by organizations from Greater Cleveland including: Team NEO, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, Baldwin Wallace University, Cleveland City Council, Asian Services In Action, On Leong Association, Cleveland Contemporary Chinese Culture Association and St. Clair Superior Development Corporation. The Cleveland delegation includes: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Jiashan Huang, President, Cleveland Chinatown Development. Brian J. Cummins, Councilman, Ward 14, Cleveland City Council, City of Cleveland. Jason S. Lin, President, Lins Omni Development. Richard Osborne, President, St. Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School. Henry Luu, President, Omni Services. Xiuwen Yang, President, Tomo Sushi & Hibachi Restaurant and Lounge. Oscar Lee, President, Cold Headed Fasteners & Assemblies, Inc. Richard Herman, President, Herman Legal Group. Michael Fleming, Executive Director, St. Clair Superior Development Corporation.

In addition to new Chinese investment, there also is increasing interest in high school and university programs for Chinese youth as well as cultural exchanges with the areas Asian community. For additional information, please contact: Brian Cummins, bcummins@clevelandcitycouncil.org; Skype: brianjcummins Jason Lin, Sjasonlin@yahoo.com; Skype: jasonlin328

City Hall Room 216 601 Lakeside Avenue Cleveland, OH 44114 (216) 664-4238 Fax (216) 664- 3837 bcummins@clevelandcitycouncil.org