Qinhuangdao, China
Established in October 28, 1985, Qinhuangdao (QHD), a dynamic and charming port city on the coast of China in northeastern Hebei province, about a two-hour train ride east of Beijing, is the second international sister city of Toledo. As one of the most beautiful cities by the Pacific Ocean, Qinhuangdao is also a popular vacation destination and one of the largest bird observatory in the world. It is also known as the Glass City of China, so shares a common background with Toledo, the Glass City. Michael Cicak of Glasstech, Inc., worked closely with Mayor Donna Owens in 1985 to establish this sister city relationship. Since then, many Chinese and American community leaders have developed and supported joint initiatives that encompass education and cultural exchanges, business and economic development, and medical and health collaboration. The China Committee of Toledo Sister Cities International was established in 2008 to further support this relationship.
Partnership
This constructive cooperation has led to the development of a partnership agreement between Yanshan University (the major university in QHD) and the University of Toledo as well as between Yanshan University and Bowling Green State University. The Toledo Hospital has also developed a partnership with Qinhuangdao’s First People’s Hospital. There are also many friendly exchanges between the two cities’ governments. In September 2005, Mr. Li Xiangdong, Vice Mayor of Qinhuangdao visited Toledo to celebrate the 20th anniversary of sister city relationship. In September 2010, a delegation from Toledo led by Mayor Michael Bell met in Beijing with a delegation from Qinhuangdao. For the QHD Toledo 30-year relationship anniversary celebration in 2015, a QHD City Education Bureau delegation, led by Vice Director Yu, visited Toledo in November, and a QHD city government delegation, led by Vice Mayor Feng Zhiyong, visited Toledo in December.
View Gallery
There may be no better way to communicate what we do than through images. As you browse our site, take a few moments to let your eyes linger here, and see if you can get a feel for our signature touch.
University
Each year, various delegations from Qinhuangdao visit Toledo for education, cultural, and business exchanges. Qinhuangdao also sends students to the International Youth Academy hosted by Toledo Sister Cities International each summer. Many students from Qinhuangdao also come to study in area schools of Toledo, and college students from Toledo area also visit Qinhuangdao each year. As part of a sister city cultural exchange between Toledo and Qinhuangdao, the China Committee hosted the performance troupe of six faculty members and eight students from Yanshan University in March 2018. The group’s 12-day visit presented the “Whispering Dreams of a Spring Breeze”, which consisted Chinese songs, dance, instrumental music, and martial arts, to the northwest Ohio community at three venues: Bowling Green State University, University of Toledo, and Lourdes University, among other culture and educational exchange activities.
