Denver, C.O. – May 17, 2016 –A delegation of government officials from Nanjing, Jiangsu, China visited the Denver Metro area this month to learn about how the state manages some of its natural beauty, particularly agriculture and water resources.
The delegation was led by Vice Mayor Ms. Jing Hua, along with directors and executives of the Nanjing Municipal Government. Denver South Economic Development Partnership (DSEDP) arranged several site visits to showcase the Denver Metro’s efficient management of resources, including stops at Delaney Gardens and Community Farm (Denver Urban Gardens), Chatfield State Park, and Denver Botanical Gardens at Chatfield Farms.
A lunch reception was held at Chinook Tavern where Mayor Ron Rakowsky presented a Friendship Proclamation on behalf of the City of Greenwood Village.
Upon presenting the proclamation, Mayor Rakowsky gave special recognition to the tremendous efforts by the delegation’s translator, Ray Xie, in handling especially complex translations. He also noted the nonpareil support of DSEDP staff members Lynn Myers and Devin Mulhern.
Mike Fitzgerald, president & CEO of DSEDP, also offered a Friendship Proclamation from the organization.
Following the reception, Fitzgerald said, “Nanjing is one of the oldest and most important historical, cultural and commercial cities in China. Denver South intends to establish long-term government, cultural, educational and commercial relations with Nanjing. We couldn’t be more excited to help build the foundations for long-term cooperation between Nanjing, China and the Denver South region.”
Denver Metro representatives in attendance also included Arapahoe County Commissioner Nancy Sharpe, Asia Pacific Manager of Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade Dan Lane, and Executive Director of South Metro Water Supply Authority Eric Hecox.
A number of business leaders joined for the lunch reception including Patrick Mulhern, president of Mulhern MRE, Greg Kelly, president of Kelly Development Services, and Rachel Isaman, founder/ CEO of MicroCap Marketing.
Of those who participated on behalf of Denver Metro, five were native or fluent speakers of Mandarin Chinese, which provided a comfortable atmosphere for the Nanjing delegates.
As the delegation returned to Denver International Airport, Mayor Hua shared her observations of the trip. “Though this is my first visit to Denver and Colorado, I feel like an old friend. I’m also very glad to find out that Denver South region and Nanjing have more connections than we were aware of. In addition to agriculture and water resources, the two sides have great potential to work together in various fields as well. So we very much look forward to hosting a trade mission from Denver South some time soon this year.”
About Denver South Economic Development Partnership: Denver South Economic Development Partnership’s predecessor organizations were wildly successful in growing the Denver South region into what it is today: Colorado’s Corporate Capital, home to six of nine Colorado-based Fortune 500 headquarters. We are committed to building upon the organization’s legacy through visionary economic development leadership, civic involvement and positive business advocacy in a non-partisan and collaborative manner to continuously improve the region’s economy and high-quality living standard.
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