World Trade Center (WTC) St. Louis Executive Director Tim Nowak and WTC St. Louis Deputy Director, Stella Sheehan, and a local delegation including St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson recently conducted a trade mission to China. The group visited St. Louis’ sister-city of Nanjing, China in celebration of the 40th anniversary of being sister-cities with the region. Leaders from the Washington University School of Medicine joined the group in the Chinese city of Suzhou to commemorate a recent partnership with Huici Health Management Co.

The visit followed WTC’s successful Growing Global event, an annual luncheon and awards program, which this year focused on trade relations with China. Experts from China along with U.S. business experts shared insight and offered those in attendance a glimpse into what the future holds for St. Louis and China.

“It is my honor to keep this important tradition alive,” Mayor Krewson said, noting every St. Louis Mayor has visited Nanjing since the establishment of St. Louis and Nanjing becoming sister cities. “This is my first international trip since becoming Mayor of St. Louis. I am tremendously grateful for the enduring relationship with Nanjing that began in 1979 and the opportunity to celebrate the 40-year anniversary. Together, our job is to care for, nurture and grow this relationship.”

“Our relationship with China is important to the St. Louis region and it was great for our delegation to travel with this group of leaders to further strengthen our relationship,” said Nowak.

During the visit, Mayor Krewson gifted the city a 7-foot tall bronze statue in the likeness of St. Louis Cardinals pitcher, Adam Wainwright. A second statue, that of a Nanjing baseball player, will be installed in St. Louis next to Busch Stadium.

“While the two statues will be separated by more than 7,000 miles, they will connect our two cities with important symbolism,” Mayor Krewson said.

After visiting Nanjing, the group, along with leaders from the Washington University School of Medicine, visited the Chinese city of Suzhou. Based upon foundational work by the World Trade Center St. Louis, the School of Medicine in St. Louis has formed a collaboration with China-based Huici Health Management Co. to help with physician training and the design of a new medical center — including a 1,000-bed hospital.