Chinese Delegation from Luoyang Visits Seattle

A 30-member delegation from Luoyang of central China's Henan province visited Seattle from July 25 to July 29.

They included well-known poets Wang Guozhen, artists, and business men and women. Most of the delegation members are all connecting with the Garden in celebration of their Peony Festival established over the last two years with the city of Luoyang.

Last year, led by Seattle Deputy Mayor Darryl Smith, delegates from the Seattle Chinese Garden and the American Peony Art and Culture Association visited Luoyang, China, with the purpose of establishing a Seattle Luoyang Peony Festival and open channels for Seattle economic development and trade.

So far the Chinese city has donated 400 peony shoots to the Seattle Chinese Garden, who started to host the annual Peony Festival in Seattle two years ago. According to the garden, there will be about 20,000 peony shoots to be planted in Seattle.

Business and trade meetings to build meaningful relationships between the two cities are aslo arranged. The delegation visted Seattle City Hall, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Boeing plant, Bulitt Center and the Great Wall Shopping Mall in Kent, Washington.