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“WELCOMING THE CITY OF THOUSAND OAKS' SISTER CITY, SHIBEI DISTRICT OF QINGDAO OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E262 on Feb. 27, 2014.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
WELCOMING THE CITY OF THOUSAND OAKS' SISTER CITY, SHIBEI DISTRICT OF
QINGDAO OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
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HON. JULIA BROWNLEY
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the City of Thousand Oaks, California, who will be welcoming its sister city, Shibei District of Qingdao of the People's Republic of China, for their first visit to the Conejo Valley on February 27, 2014.
Formally approved on July 9, 2013, the Thousand Oaks City Council unanimously accepted the concept of Thousand Oaks, California and Shibei District, Qingdao as sister cities. The relationship between the two cities has a mission to create an environment for promoting and developing effective and mutually beneficial cooperation between the citizens of both municipalities. It is a harmonious relationship in which both parties conduct reciprocal cultural, educational, business, professional and technical exchanges. The friendly cooperation between both cities is based on the principles of mutual respect of the partners and the sovereignty of each state.
With a large Asian-American population presence in the Conejo Valley, community leaders, in collaboration with the Center for Asian Performing Arts, conceptualized the idea of a sister city relationship with China to promote Asian culture and support the cultural exchange between East and West.
There are many shared interests and commonalities among the two cities which makes it an ideal partnership. While Thousand Oaks was named among the top ten safest large cities in the United States, Shibei District, Qingdao was named among the top ten livable cities with the most beautiful bay in China. Additionally, both cities have developed in the areas of technology.
Among the delegation members that will visit the Conejo Valley are the mayor of the Shibei District, the directors of the Bureau of Tourism and of the Bureau of Economic Development, and the deputy chief of staff for the Department of Commerce. On this momentous occasion, the mayors of both cities will sign documents declaring their formal relationship.
I want to congratulate Thousand Oaks and Shibei District on this momentous occasion and look forward to the future accomplishments and successes that this relationship will foster.
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