NACo delegation visits China

NACo President Randy Johnson and 11 county, NACo and business officials kicked off a 10-day "Local Government Global Exchange" mission in the People's Republic of China on Oct. 8.

Joining Johnson on the exchange mission are NACo President-elect Betty Lou Ward; NACo First Vice President C. Vernon Gray; Hennepin County (Minn.) Commissioner Mark Andrew; Jefferson County (Ky.) Clerk Rebecca Jackson; Palm Beach County (Fla.) Commissioner Carol Roberts; Jacksonville-Duval County (Fla.) Council Member Terry Wood; and NACo Executive Director Larry Naake.

Also part of the trip are J. Robert Stassen, Minneapolis/St. Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission representative; Irving Stern, Stern International president; Judy Larson, Johnson chief of staff, and Kaye Braaten, NACo County Services representative.

Visiting at the request of the Chinese government, Johnson's delegation will meet with local government leaders to discuss such issues as city/county planning, environmental protection, human resource development and business opportunities. The delegation is scheduled to meet in Beijing with China's top legislative leaders, including meetings with promotion and international trade members, the state economic commission and Beijing metro area officials.

The delegation also will visit such areas as Shanxi Province to meet with economic officials and Xi'an City's mayor. Discussions also are scheduled with Suzhou City officials, Jia Ding County government leaders and Shanghai's vice mayor. A visit to Pudong's New Development Area is also scheduled.