Herford celebrates friendship: Delegation from Xinbei is planting symbolic tree

Herford celebrates friendship: Delegation from Xinbei is planting symbolic tree

On May 2, 2025, an eight -member delegation visited Xinbei, China , which was invited to an important event in Herford. The city of Xinbei is a district in the province of Jiangsu and belongs to the administrative area of ​​the district -free city of Changzhou. The urban friends between Herford and Xinbei has existed since 2015 and has been continuously maintained since then.

Herford personalities took part in the reception, including Mayor Tim Kähler to deepen the bilateral relationships. The meeting also took place as part of the 100th anniversary of the company of Wemhöner Surface Technologies, to which entrepreneurs Heiner Wemhöner had invited.

symbol of friendship

A highlight of the visit was the planting of a “tree of friendship” (Eucommia Ulmoides) in the Aawiesenpark. This symbolic gesture is intended to reaffirm the connections between Herford and Xinbei and is a sign of respect, openness and exchange. Mayor Kähler expressed the wish that this friendship continues to grow and everyone involved benefits from it.

The meeting also took place in the Herford Rathaus, where the delegation exchanged representatives from politics, business and society. Kähler has been in office for three quarters of a year and initiated the city partnership with Xinbei. The Council of the Hanseatic City of Herford decided on March 6th with a large majority. This illustrates the meaning that the city supports these relationships.

strategy for future and development

Kähler's strategy for promoting the partnership comprises three central points: the increase in the external perception of the domestic economy, an increased cultural exchange for prejudice control and the announcement of Herford as an investment location. This is done in particular due to the availability of over 50 hectares of commercial space, as Heiner Wemhöner emphasizes.

Wemhöner, who has been active in China for ten years, is planning to build a new factory in Xinbei, which could further strengthen the economic connections. The continuing joint efforts are part of a larger trend, since there are more than 6,500 city twinning between German municipalities worldwide. Many of them are geared towards promoting communication and cooperation, as the partnership between Herford and Xinbei shows. This example illustrates the importance of international relationships, especially in times of global challenges.