Weifang, China

Wéifáng Shì

Distance from Pueblo: 6,559 mi
Population: 8.5 million

RELATIONSHIP
Currently, Weifang is our most difficult Sister City relationship, due mostly to distance and language barriers. Nonetheless, it is a functioning relationship; at least four times, visitors from Weifang have visited Pueblo and on two occasions officials from Pueblo have gone to Weifang. During their visits to Pueblo, Weifang officials have shown an interest in economic development and commercial trade issues. We have involved the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, the Latino Chamber of Commerce and the Pueblo Economic Development Corporation to look for mutual opportunities in these areas.

Pueblo delegations that have visited Weifang were fascinated with the history and culture of China.

Educational exchanges
An official student and faculty exchange agreement was signed in 2000 by the President of the Colorado State University-Pueblo (formerly USC) and the President of Weifang University. The agreement was ratified in 2005 by current administrators.

History
Weifang is a historical city with well known figures. Emperor Shun of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors period, the politician Yan Ying of the Spring and Autumn Period, the confusion scholar Zheng Xuan of the Estern Han Dynasty and the agriculturist Jia Simiao of the Northern Wei Dynasty were all from Weifang. Kong Rong, Fan Zhongyan, Ouyang Xiu, Su Dongpo, Zheng Banqiao, et al. have worked in Weifang historically. In more recent years, revolutionists, litterateurs and artists, such as Wang Jinmei, Chen Shaomin, Wang Yuanjian, Wang Tongzhao, Zang Kejia are well known in China. Weifang also boasts of historical relics and other tourist sites, such as Shihu Garden (from the Late Ming and early Qing Dynasty), Fangong Pavilion (from the Song Dynasty), fossile sites (including dinosaur fossils, in Shanwang, Linqu), Mount Yi National Forest Park, Mount Qingyun and the Old Dragon Spring. The woodcut new yearÕs paintings from Yangjiabu are well known.