ICMA has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Chinese city of Changsha, Hunan Province, pledging mutual cooperation to build the city’s capacity in municipal management through the exchange of information, management practices, and technical expertise.

Bob Agee, cty administrator, Annapolis, Maryland, helped lay the groundwork for the MOU by hosting the Changsha mayor, Jianfei Zhang, and other Chinese visitors in Annapolis last year. Agee then visited Changsha in November.

Among the areas to be explored are environmental management (including solid waste management, storm water management, and green space preservation), urban planning, and technology applications. The MOU contemplates workshops, visits, and other methods of exchange. Changsha will cover the costs of training and other technical assistance.

Mayor Zhang appointed Chuzhu Lei, secretary general, Changsha People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, to sign the MOU on behalf of the city.

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