Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack is starting the new year on an international note, embarking on a significant trade mission to Harbin, China. The journey celebrates a major milestone: the 40th anniversary of the sister-city partnership between the Alberta capital and the renowned ice capital of China.
A Strategic Trip to Strengthen Ties
Invited personally by Harbin Mayor Wang Hesheng, Knack's three-day visit coincides with the 42nd Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. The mayor stated the mission's core objectives are to advance economic development and cultural cooperation between the two cities. The delegation's on-the-ground expenses, including meals, accommodations, and local transportation, are being covered by the city of Harbin. The only cost to Edmonton is for flights, totaling $4,818.94, which will be drawn from surplus funds in the 2025 budget for the mayor's office.
"This is a big opportunity for winter tourism," Knack emphasized. "We're in a globally competitive world... If we sit back waiting for everyone to come to us, they're not going to. What better place to start this work than with our sister city?"
Delegation Agenda and Goals
The Edmonton delegation, which includes a staff member and two representatives from Explore Edmonton, has a packed schedule. Their itinerary features:
- Attending the festival's grand opening ceremonies.
- Participating in the Ice and Snow Winter Expo and the Global Mayors' Dialogue.
- Meeting with tourism agencies and local businesses to promote Edmonton's potential as a fellow winter city destination.
This visit marks the first by an Edmonton mayor to Harbin since former mayor Don Iveson's trip in 2015 for the 30th anniversary. Knack expressed a desire to revitalize the relationship, which he noted has been less active in recent years.
Building a Meaningful Partnership for the Future
"Realistically, these need to be more than just a signed piece of paper," Knack said. "We should be sharing knowledge with each other and learning from one another. They have a very similar climate to us... what can we learn from them and what can they learn from us?"
He highlighted the upcoming completion of the Harbin Gate in Edmonton's Chinatown as a catalyst for future exchange. "I think there's a great opportunity for a return visit from folks from Harbin in the future, especially as we get Harbin Gate completed," Knack added, framing the trip as a step toward making sister-city relationships substantively significant.
The mission represents a focused effort to leverage the long-standing connection with Harbin into tangible benefits for Edmonton, particularly in the realms of economic development, winter tourism, and cultural understanding.
