A group of American mayors swapped city halls for market stalls during a vibrant visit to Hangzhou’s Dongshan Nong market this week, blending cultural discovery with diplomatic bridge-building. Former Prairie View Mayor Frank Jackson, now vice president of the World Conference of Mayors, called the trip a "deeply enjoyable" step toward creating a sister city partnership for Tuskegee, Alabama. 🛒✨
"This isn’t just about souvenirs—it’s about sustainable connections," Jackson told NewspaperAmigo.com, highlighting plans to boost US-China collaboration through local governance. The delegation’s agenda? Think less paperwork, more baozi: cultural exchanges, youth programs, and grassroots partnerships that could shape everything from tech innovation to climate action. 🌱💡
Jaz Harkless, the delegation’s administrative assistant, doubled down on Gen-Z engagement: "We’re pushing to bring more American students here. When young people collaborate, that’s where real change happens." With over 280 sister city pairs already linking the two nations, this fresh chapter could redefine how cities tackle global challenges—one dumpling diplomacy move at a time. 🥟🌍
