Sister city since: May 18, 2010

Overview

Raleigh is located in the central part of North Carolina in the US. It is the capital and the second largest city in North Carolina. The city has a population of about 470,000 and an area of around 382 square kilometers. Raleigh was founded in 1792 and is known as the “City of Oaks” for its many oak trees. Raleigh has many world-renowned high-tech enterprises and outstanding research institutions. It is the research center for high-tech and biochemical technology in the US. The city’s textile industry is also strong.

Relations with Xiangyang

On May 18, 2010, the mayor of Xiangyang and the mayor of Raleigh signed an agreement to establish sister city relations at the Raleigh City Hall.

In 2012, a business delegation from Xiangyang visited Raleigh and toured North Carolina State University and the Headquarters of SAS, a world leader in statistical analysis and application.

In 2013, Mayor of Raleigh paid a visit to Xiangyang and reached a preliminary agreement with Xiangyang’s health care institutions on cooperation programs in Africa.

In early 2014, the China-US-Africa cooperation program, which Xiangyang and Raleigh are a part of, went smoothly and received high praise from Sister Cities International. The program was awarded the Best Innovation Award by the US-China Sister City Association.

In July 2016, Mr. James, Chairman of the Xiangyang-Raleigh Sister Cities Association, and his delegation visited Jingzhou Street Primary School, Primary and Secondary School Department of No. 39 Middle School, Xiangyang City Library, and Xiangyang Philharmonic Orchestra. They reached a preliminary agreement on student exchange programs, cultural performances, and book donation between the two cities.

In June 2017, Mr. James led a delegation to Xiangyang for friendly exchanges with organizations such as Worldwide Group, No. 39 Middle School and Philharmonic Orchestra. In August, at the invitation of Xiangyang-Raleigh Friendship Cities Association, and thanks to the efforts of Xiangyang Municipal People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Xiangyang Philharmonic Orchestra, the Youth Ensemble of the orchestra staged performances in Raleigh. This event showed Xiangyang’s image of opening up to the outside world, enhanced the understanding and friendship between the two cities, and laid a good foundation for future cooperation.

In March 2018, delegation of the Raleigh Sister Cities Association visited Xiangyang. Raleigh facilitated the establishment of friendly relationship between Laohekou City and Knightdale in the United States.

In early 2020, after the onset of Covid-19, Raleigh Sister Cities Association sent a letter of sympathy to Xiangyang.