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To reflect the principle of the Sino-American Joint Communiqué that promotes mutual understanding of cultures and people in two different countries, the City of Dallas and the City of Tianjin agreed to establish a friendship city relationship. On April 14, 1995, the mayor of Tianjin in China and later Mayor Stephen Bartlett in Dallas signed the agreement making the already blossoming relationship official. Over the last few years, Dallas and Tianjin have benefited from a mutual exchange of ideas and culture. In February 2006, a delegation from Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Area (TEDA) met with Mayor Pro Tern Don Hill and Council Member Ron Natinksy to discuss enhancing the existing relationship as well as promoting more exchange visits between Tianjin and Dallas. Additionally, the Office of Economic Development for the City of Dallas as well as the Dallas Fire and Police Departments made special presentations to the delegation. At a breakfast in April 2006 coordinated by Dallas Protocol and the Economic Development International Office, a TEDA delegation announced the opening of a trade office in Dallas. About Tianjin As the biggest coastal city in northern China, Tianjin has always enjoyed the reputation of being the "Pearl of Bohai Sea." Located in the midpoint of the gold coast of northern China, the city is a point of access to the sea for the northern and northwestern areas of the country. The origin of Tianjin begins with a walk down the Ancient Cultural Street which exposes visitors to the history and culture of this ancient city. Tianjin's history can be traced back 800 years to the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) when it was then known as ZhiguVillage. The city that exists today expanded from this area. One hundred twenty kilometers away from Beijing, the city of Tianjin has always been considered a strategic stronghold for, and a gateway to, China's capital city. The "shield of Tianjin" is Dagu seaport, located where HaiheRiver flows into the BohaiSea. In 1858, six gun fortifications were built at Dagu to strengthen the coastal defense and guarantee the safety of Beijing. In the country's contemporary history, Dagu seaport gradually became an important military point by which Qing Dynasty fought against foreign invasions by western imperialist powers. With a dynamic culture and an ever-growing economy, Tianjin is on its way to becoming a more modern coastal city and an important economic center in northern China. Explore the City of Tianjin
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