Chinese city dedicates garden to Cedar Rapids

The Chinese city of Tangshan has dedicated a garden in honor of its longtime sister-city Cedar Rapids, according to local officials.

Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett and City Manager Jeff Pomeranz traveled last week to the dedication ceremony, which was part of the kickoff of a six-month long Tangshan International Horticultural Exposition. Leaders from several cities around the world, including Japan, South Korea and United Kingdom, were also honored, but Cedar Rapids was the only U.S. city, Corbett said.

'As I sat and listened and watched what they've done, it gave me pride in the progress we've made in Cedar Rapids over the last eight years from our flood recovery efforts,' said Corbett, who returned to the United States on Saturday after a week abroad.

Tangshan is in Hebei province in the northeastern part of China near the Yellow Sea and about 90 miles southeast of Beijing. Tangshan is much larger with more than 7 million people, but both are industry-heavy cities and both are recovering from natural disasters. The cities can learn from each other, Pomeranz said.

'Even though they are very large, there's similarities in the challenges we face,' Pomeranz said, noting both cities are striving to become more environmentally sustainable and diversify industry.

Cedar Rapids and Tangshan have been 'sister cities' or 'friendship cities' since 1997, according to the China Daily.

Pomeranz described it as 'Disney World of horticulture.' The event opened with ceremonies, music, dance, costumes, and other cultural performances. Fountain displays, tropical greenhouses, and a 'low-carbon lifestyle' exhibition, are among the exhibits.

The event was set at the South Lake Ecological Park, which is an expansive green space built on top of an old blighted area where coal mining occurred.

The horticulture event had historical significance, as well. It is tied to the 40 year anniversary of one of the worst earthquakes in modern history.

On July 27, 1976, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake followed by a major aftershock devastated Tangshan, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The disasters killed 242,769 people and injured 800,000, although some estimate the death toll as high as 655,000, according to the agency which monitors earthquakes.

The event celebrated the strides rebuilding the city and industry, and also transitioning to become more environmentally sustainable.

'Cities that aspire to be 'Green Cities' have recognized what science has proved that plants and trees within a green city landscape can help to tackle the major social and environmental challenges that all cities face,' Bernard Oosterom, president of International Association of Horticultural Producers, said in a news release. 'Tangshan is one of those cities. Despite having grown as the result of industrial development this city has recognized that filling itself with 'living green' must be at the core of its future and I congratulate Tangshan on this as it seeks to be a leading example to China and the whole world.'

While in China, Corbett and Pomeranz also visited the Rockwell Collins location in Beijing.

'Although, not specifically an economic development trip, we were able to meet with Rockwell, building contacts and establishing relationships, and also meeting other leaders,' Corbett said.

Corbett said no formal plans exist for the Chinese to return to Cedar Rapids, but he anticipates a trip will be forthcoming.

A larger contingent of city and economic development officials from Cedar Rapids last traveled to Tangshan in July 2006. That November a delegation of 11 from China visited Cedar Rapids. Both cities have pointed to the relationship as helping foster goodwill for economic development.

Tangshan covered plane, hotel and food costs. Cedar Rapids covered additional expenses, which totaled $5,707.86.