Hunan visit a success
Chinese enjoyed barbeque on Otter Tail Lake
Published Friday, May 30, 2008
The Chinese came, they left and they liked what they saw.
That’s the word from city staff and government officials touring with an eight-member delegation from Hunan Province, China, Wednesday and Thursday.
The delegation arrived in Fergus Falls Wednesday evening, with a tour of the Regional Treatment Center an early item on the agenda.
“I think, based on when I was with them, their reaction was that it was a magnificent facility” suitable for future operations, Harold Stanislawski said. The Chinese were impressed with not only the dorm room they saw, he said, but the grounds in general and the area available for future expansion.
Wednesday also included a welcome banquet at the Bigwood Event Center, where Dr. Ann Valentine of MSCTC-Fergus Falls and Mr. Li Zhao of Hunan International Economics University signed an educational agreement allowing Chinese students to enroll in the college’s nursing program.
Members of the delegation got to see the MSCTC-Fergus Falls nursing labs firsthand during a visit to the college Thursday. The group toured the campus following a breakfast meeting with college and city officials.
“I think they were very impressed with it,” said Mayor Russ Anderson, referring to the college.
Rick Anderson, who sat with Chinese officials at the banquet
Wednesday and again at the college Thursday, said reactions to Fergus Falls in general were also very positive.
“They thought it was an absolutely remarkable community,” he said.
The Chinese delegation spent part of Thursday visiting colleges and universities in northern Minnesota and North Dakota — schools that may decide to partner in the formation of an international business college at the RTC.
Before leaving Fergus Falls Thursday afternoon, members of the delegation enjoyed a BBQ on Otter Tail Lake and a drive through lakes country.
“They certainly thought that the area was very beautiful,” Stanislawski said. “They were awed by the large farm fields and agriculture. In China...to see big wide open spaces like this (is rare) because there’s so many people