Trip to China - President's Delegation: Day 5

For the first time in China’s history, Kunming is proudly hosting the 7th China National Disabled Person’s Sports Meeting at the newly-built New Asia Stadium. The delegation was honored with a tour of the facility, as well as watched a few of the events. It was amazing to be included in China’s equivalent of the Special Olympics.

After the Disabled Person’s Sports Meeting, we met with Kunming’s Deputy Mayor, the distinguished Mrs. Xiao Shan Liao. We presented her with a framed photo and letter from Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Sister Cities International, reaffirming and strengthening the “sister city” relationship between Denver and Kunming. After the formal presentation with the Deputy Mayor, the delegation visited the Yuan Xiao Cen Art Museum, featuring paintings and bronze sculptures of world-renown Chinese artist Shu Yuan Yi. Also on the grounds of the art museum was a small tea museum featuring a 200 year old, highly prized, local specialty tea. High quality tea is a status symbol in China, much like gourmet food in the United States. The delegation is being introduced to the nuances between jasmine, green, black, and the many local variety of teas.

The Mayor’s office graciously provided us with a driver and guide, who drove us through
Kunming for a very real view of rural China on Kunming’s outskirts. Rather than the expected rice paddies, we saw local farmers growing Chinese chives, a regional specialty. It was fascinating to see the stark contrast between life in a city of 6 million people versus a small farming village.