Government officials from Haiyan, China are in Batesville on Thursday.
During the welcoming ceremony at the Memorial Building, Mayor Rick Fledderman introduced representatives from Batesville City Council and local government.
“I know your community is much larger than ours,” Mayor Rick Fledderman told the four Chinese government officials. “But you will see Batesville is a thriving center with growing industries, excellent schools, beautiful homes and a word class hospital and healthcare facility.”
Representatives from China include: Jian Jin Liang, Vice Director of Haiyan Peoples Congress Standing Committee; Zhao Yong Jun, Vice Director of General Office of Peoples Government of Haiyan County; Ma Jian Sheng, Vice Director Social Security Bureau; and Ma Jian Liang, Vice Director of Haiyan Financial District.
The four government officials were accompanied by a translator.
“I am very honored to come here to this beautiful city,” said Jian Jin Liang via the Chinese-English translator. “I hope this trip will communicate with our two cities and hopefully build a sister city relationship.”
Mayor Rick Fledderman is hoping the trip also leads to a partnership among the communities.
“It means a lot and we are proud to show our city. We have a lot to showcase here and a lot to be proud of. It means a lot to establish this relationship and develop our cultures and understand each of our cultures more,” said Fledderman.
It could also lead to additional economic development and industry growth for Batesville.
Fledderman spoke about the trip he made to Haiyan two years ago. As the Haiyan officials expressed interested in Batesville, Mayor Fledderman also shares a mutual respect for the school system and local economy in the Chinese city.
The city of Haiyan was established in 222 B.C. and is located in the northern part of the Zhejiang Province. The city of 430,000 people offers agricultural products such as rice, fresh water fish, and livestock. Modern industry includes ports, equipment manfucturing, and electronics and electrical appliances.
The Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant in Haiyan was the first self-designed and constructed nuclear power plant in China, with a total generating capacity that reaches 6.3 million Kilowatt.
Haiyan and Batesville officials are touring Ivy Tech, Batesville schools, the Hansen Center, Weberdings and take a driving tour of Oldenburg on Thursday.
