The Oregon delegation poses for a group photo with Tianjin representatives. [Photo/WeChat account: tj_swb]

A delegation of county leaders from the state of Oregon in the United States visited Tianjin from Sept 13 to 15 at the invitation of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Tianjin municipal government.

The delegation was led by Michael Dembrow, former Oregon state senator and honorary chairman of the Oregon China Council, and included its Secretary-General Xie Longquan.

During the visit, the delegation met with Luan Jianzhang from the Foreign Affairs Office of Tianjin Municipal People's Government and exchanged views on strengthening their long-standing friendship and the expanding practical cooperation between Tianjin and Oregon.

Luan welcomed the delegation and reviewed the history of friendly exchanges between the two sides, while introducing Tianjin's latest economic and social development. He expressed hope the visiting county leaders would become long-term friends of Tianjin and work with the Oregon China Council to further strengthen bilateral ties.

Dembrow said the visit was an important step forward, noting it marked the first time Oregon had organized a large delegation of county leaders to visit China.

During their stay, the delegation members visited the Tianjin Institute of Smart Agriculture, Tianjin Port's smart zero-carbon terminal, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Museum, and the Ancient Culture Street.