Mayor John Peyton, City Council members and representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, JAXPORT and other city agencies will host the vice mayor of Ningbo, China and his delegation to Jacksonville.  Ningbo is a Friendship City of Jacksonville under the auspices of the Sister Cities organization.

In 2004, Jacksonville and Ningbo signed an Intent Agreement which led to the signing of a Friendship Agreement in December 2007 in Jacksonville. In March 2008, Mayor Peyton led a seven-member delegation to Ningbo to tour the city and learn more about its port infrastructure, business community and potential international trade opportunities. As a continuation of the development of the relationship, Jacksonville is reciprocating that trip by hosting the Ningbo delegation.              

"This developing international partnership with Ningbo is another significant facet in the city's growing international presence and ongoing development of overseas business partners," said Mayor Peyton. "As Ningbo is an international port city, the relationship between our two cities will only continue to increase as Jacksonville grows and develops its port, international trade and business relationships and helping to bring even more economic development opportunities for our residents." 

Ningbo is the second largest port city in China, and the fourth largest in the world. It is a rare natural deep-water port that services more than 163 regular shipping lines and 82 ocean shipping lines for containers.

During their visit, the Ningbo delegation will tour the city and JAXPORT, including the new container terminal under construction for TraPac.

The Jacksonville Sister Cities Program is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network that encourages partnerships between the United States and international communities and aims to build global cooperation at the municipal level, promote cultural understanding and stimulate economic development. Jacksonville has sister friendship cities in Argentina, China, France, Korea, South Africa and Russia.