Development of sister-city relations between Nizhny Novgorod and Jinan

Organizational work on establishment sister-city relations with Jinan began in 1993.

In 1994 a delegation from Jinan visited Nizhny Novgorod for the first time. The main aim was holding negotiations on a possibility of establishment sister-city relations between our cities. As a result there was reached an agreement on mutual exchange of commercial, cultural, scientific, medical and official delegations.

In July, 1994 Nizhny Novgorod delegation headed by the Deputy Head of the City Administration, S.A. Sakharov, visited Jinan with the aim to establish commercial cooperation. The delegation examined the wholesale and retail trade, the work of the Consumers' Market Management Administration, visited industrial and processing enterprises. Moreover, there was reached an agreement on delivery of Chinese goods to Nizhny Novgorod shop "Lych NN".

In September, 1994 Jinan was visited by Nizhny Novgorod delegation consisting of the Chairman of the City Council, I.N.Karnilin, the Deputy Head of the City Administration, B.S.Dukhan, the Head of Avtozavodsky district, G.N.Sokolnikov, the Head of the Department of Interregional and Foreign Economic Relations, V.A.Soloviev, and the president of the financial and building company "Nizhegorodsky Dom", V.A.Rasteryaev. Within the framework of the visit the Agreement on establishment sister-city relations was signed.

In November, according to the agreement, a delegation of the Jinan Central Districts came to Nizhny Novgorod. In the course of negotiations the most effective areas of cooperation (such as trade and building) were defined.

In May, 1995 a Chinese delegation headed by the director of International Relations department, Ms. Shi Suytsin visited Nizhny Novgorod. The delegation met the director of the department of International Relations, S.G. Radchenko, the director of the department of Consumers' Market and Services, S.A. Sakharov, the representative of Nizhny Novgorod region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, S.N.Zvereva, the president of "Nizhegorodsky Dom" , V.A.Rasteryaev, the representatives of "Nizhegorodskaya Yarmarka", S.F.Zaborin and T.G.Sorokina, the director of a sports club "Yashma", O.I.Makarov. Besides they visited the Centre of Chinese medicine and shops "Bogatir" and "Luch" (A.G.Yashina) with the aim to organize Chinese goods exhibition.

From March 20 to April 17, 1996 the shop "Luch NN" hosted the first Jinan goods fair. There were presented light industry goods to the amount of about $ 200 thousands.

In August, 1996 an official delegation headed by the Chairman of the Political Advisory Council, Mr. Lu Yaohua visited Nizhny Novgorod. In the course of the visit meetings at different levels were held and the opportunity of opening in Nizhny Novgorod the Chinese Trade Centre was discussed. Besides, there was signed an agreement of intentions between the beer plant "Volga" and the Jinan beer factory.

In September, 1997 an official delegation headed by the First Deputy of Jinan Mayor, Mr. Sun Chanin, visited Nizhny Novgorod. The visit was within the framework of Nizhny Novgorod City Day's celebration.

In September, 1998 a Nizhny Novgorod delegation visited Jinan to participate in the industrial and economic exhibition "Golden Autumn-98".

From May 20 to May 24, 1999 a delegation of Jinan physicians (dermatologist and venereologist) came to Nizhny Novgorod. During the meeting there was held a two-day theoretical and practical conference on the methods to analyze the epidemic situation of sexually transmitted diseases, with the participation of Nizhny Novgorod colleagues.

On October 25-26, 1999 an official delegation headed by the First Deputy of the Jinan Mayor, Mr. Duan Ihai visited Nizhny Novgorod. The main aim of this visit was further development of bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation with the Nizhny Novgorod enterprises and organizations.

During the visit there was held a number of negotiations and meetings. On October 26, 1999 in a conference hall of the City Administration there was organized a round table with the participation of Nizhny Novgorod businessmen (about 50 participants). In the course of the meeting the Chinese side made 12 proposals to establish joint enterprises of tinned food, television technique, high-precision scales, pencils and other kinds of goods, granting relevant technologies and equipment. In response, Nizhny Novgorod enterprises made the Chinese the following commercial offers:
- "NITEL"- creation of TV sets joint production enterprise;
- "Nizhegorodskie kolbasy" - preserved production and other foodstuff delivery to Nizhny Novgorod;
- "OKTOPUS" (Balakhna) - creation of canned fish and meat production joint enterprise in Nizhny Novgorod or region;
- "Nizhny Novgorod Medical Centre" and "Nizhegorodles" also made cooperation proposals.
Within the framework of the visit there was a meeting of the head of the Chinese delegation with the First Deputy of the Head of Nizhny Novgorod City Administration, S.V.Abushev. During the meeting "The Protocol on development of cooperation between Nizhny Novgorod and Jinan for 2000" was signed. Besides, there was held a meeting with the participation of 15 Nizhny Novgorod entrepreneurs.

During 3 months in 2001, a physician specializing in reflexotherapy, acupuncture and therapeutic physical training, Klyukin O.M., was training in the Jinan Chinese medical hospital. Also the parties discussed the possibility to open a Chinese alternative medicine centre in Nizhny Novgorod.

On June 13-14, 2001 a Jinan official delegation took part in the international forum "Sister-cities and Partners". During the visit there were held numerous meetings and a round table with the participation of Nizhny Novgorod entrepreneurs. The Chinese showed their interest in application of innovation technologies and modern industrial products of Nizhny Novgorod research institutes and enterprises in Jinan on the basis of innovation zones, which were specially organized in the city structure.

On September 18-26, 2001 an official delegation of Nizhny Novgorod City Administration headed by the Chairman of the City Council, S.V.Abushev, visited Jinan. Within the framework of the visit the Nizhny Novgorod delegation took part in the following events:
- negotiations with the Jinan Deputy of the Chinese Communist Party Secretary, Mr. Zao Zibing;
- negotiations with the Chairman of the Committee VSNG in Jinan, Mr. Duan Dji;
- negotiations with the Jinan Mayor, Mr. Hie Uy Tang;
- official opening of the international industrial and economic exhibition "Golden Autumn 2001";
- Jinan Government banquet;
- round table with the chiefs of the Jinan Innovation Centre of the Superior and New Techniques under the chairmanship of the Centre President, Mr. Tan Guan;
- round table with the directors and the entrepreneurs of the Shichjong District of Jinan supported by the Deputy Manager of the CCP in Shijong District of Jinan, Ms. Chjao Jingye;
- visit to the Jinan Plastic Production Company "Xingye".

In the course of official negotiations with Jinan Administration there was discussed a possibility to activate the work on a bilateral cooperation in the area of high technology through multidimensional assistance of Nizhny Novgorod partners, interested in Jinan's arrival to the "High Technology Development Zone".

On March 1-5, 2003 "National Jinan Enterprises Fair" was held in the Nizhny Novgorod Fair. The Fair opening was attended by the delegation of the Chinese Embassy to the Russian Federation headed by the Plenipotentiary Minister on the Trade and Economic questions, the adviser, Mr. Van Tszyunvan. Over 160 Chinese entrepreneurs presenting 69 companies contributed to the Fairs' work. During 5 days the Fair was visited by 6200 Nizhny Novgorod entrepreneurs, and the total number of visitors accounted approximately 60 thousand people. The total sum that Chinese entrepreneurs gained on the sail of their products was $12000.

In the course of "National Jinan Enterprises Fair" there were signed 3 agreements on cooperation between: Nizhny Novgorod and Jinan Chambers of Commerce and Industry; Nizhny Novgorod Committee on Sports, Physical Culture and Tourism and Jinan Tourist Bureau; and Jinan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and "Nizhny Novgorod Fair".

"The Workshop on economy and trade between Nizhny Novgorod and Jinan" also contributed to further strengthening of business contacts between Nizhny Novgorod and Chinese entrepreneurs. The attention of the Nizhny Novgorod City Administration and interested enterprises, companies and travel agencies was called to the presentation of Jinan. In the course of the presentation the Chinese officials touched the following topics: Jinan economic and industrial potential; the city industrial enterprises promotion to the world level; development of tourism; mass media's role in Jinan's life.

From October 28 to November 3, 2003 Nizhny Novgorod delegation, led by the Mayor, Vadim Bilavinov, came with an official visit to Jinan. The delegation included the First Deputy of the Head of the City Administration, A.K.Meleshkin, the Chairman of the City Council, I.N.Karnilin, the Deputy Head of the City Administration, the director of the department of Finances and Taxation Policy, S.I.Utrosin, the Deputy Head of the City Administration on administrative affairs, D.N.Dzepa.

On July 07-09, 2006 Nizhny Novgorod delegation, including the winners of city, regional, international competitions and contests, international festivals - Nizhny Novgorod schoolchildren, took part in the international children's festival "Under the one sky". The aim of the festival was development of sister-city relations through the children's communication. The Festival program included visiting city parks, flying a kite, participation in the program "Preserve the nature. Protect forests", meetings with the Jinan City Administration and primary school students. Besides, within the festival, the Nizhny Novgorod delegation participated in planting trees in one of the city parks "Shenzhou ecological garden". In total, 12 delegations took part in the international festival "Under the one sky": Sacramento (USA), Augsburg (Germany), Vantaa (Finland), Joondalup (Australia), Wakayama (Japan), Incheon (South Korea), East Java (Indonesia), Calcutta (India), Hong Kong (China), Budapest (Hungary), Vitebsk (Belorussia) and a Ukrainian delegation.

In September, 2006 a female delegation, headed by the Deputy President of the Jinan Trade Unions Federation, Ms. Van. Shuhua visited Nizhny Novgorod. During the visit the Chinese delegation held summits with the Vice-Mayor, S.V.Gladishev, the director of the department of interregional and Foreign Economics Relations, V.A.Soloviev, the director of the department of Public Health Care, V.N.Lazarev, the rector of Nizhny Novgorod Institute of Commerce, N.V.Sumtsova. Besides they visited the Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics and Family Planning Centre.

On July 5-10, 2007 a Nizhny Novgorod delegation took part in the II International Children's Festival "Harmonious world - happy children". The aim of the event was strengthening friendly ties and development of cooperation among children from all over the world. The festival program included meetings with the representatives of the City Administration and Jinan schoolchildren, exposition of children's photos "Our city", performances and games, various expositions and sightseeing tours, and an excursion program to Beijing. Except the delegation from Nizhny Novgorod, which included city comprehensive school pupils - the winners of city, regional, international competitions and contests, international festivals, 16 delegations from all over the world took part in the festival. The delegations presented the following cities: Kphar Saba (Israel), Regina (Canada), Renn (France), Sacramento (USA), Augsburg (Germany), Vantaa (Finland), Joondalup (Australia), Wakayama and Yamaguchi (Japan), Suwon (South Korea), Java (Indonesia), Budapest (Hungary), Calcutta (India), Macao (China), Vitebsk (Belorussia), Kharkov (Ukraine).

In August, 2007 there was held the First All-Russian Forum "Russian hospitality". Among the participants there was a Chinese company "OMMA".

In September, 2008 an official delegation visited Nizhny Novgorod within the framework of development of sister-city relations. The main aim of the visit was to share experience in the sphere of finance and taxes. The delegation met the representatives of Nizhny Novgorod financial institutions and Tax Administration: the vice-director of the department of Finances and taxation Policy of the City Administration, V.I. Lakasev, and the head of the department of budget planning E.B. Bukareva, the leaders of tax inspectorate of Nizhegorodsky district.

In June 2009 the director of trading company "Neftehimash", I.A.Abramchuk, visited Jinan. The egreement with the company "Zibo Taiji Industrial Enamel" was signed.

In September 19-25, 2009 the delegation of Nizhny Novgorod City Administration, headed by the First Deputy Head visited Jinan within the framework of celebration the 15th anniversary of establishment sister-city relations. The delegation participated in the international exposition of flowers and garden plants EKSPO 7, met the leaders of Jinan and its sister-cities.