By ASHLEE AINGE
Ashlee@newsroom.byu.edu
Delegates from Urumqi, China, Orem's sister city, will begin their week-long Utah tour on Tuesday, March 28.
Five Chinese representatives and one translator have come to learn about Utah culture and to increase the sister-city bonds Orem leaders initiated during their trip to Urumqi in December.
Orem Mayor Jerry Washburn said that the delegates wanted to come to Orem to see the city, to learn about it culturally and to see how the people in Utah do things.
The delegates have a busy week. They will visit local businesses, high schools and fire stations, they'll see the future city plans of Orem, tour UVSC and BYU, watch a Jazz game and even see a play at the SCERA theatre.
Because LDS culture is so influential here, the delegates will also be taken on a tour of Temple Square.
'LDS culture is a big part of Utah culture,' said City Council member Stephen Sandstrom.
They are scheduled to see Welfare Square, the Family History Center and will meet with Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The delegate's tour of BYU on Thursday will be more than the usual wild ride on one of the Public Affairs' golf-carts.
Washburn said the special tour will include the Museum of Peoples and Cultures, the School of Business, the Monte L. Bean Museum and a lunch at the Museum Caf?.
The delegates will be joined for lunch by BYU professors and local business leaders, including Stephen R. Covey.
In addition to the dose of Utah Valley life, Washburn said the Chinese representatives will also join Orem leaders in planning ways to further cultivate the sister city relationship.
Leaders from both cities will sign an agreement for further interaction between the cities at a banquet at UVSC.
Former Orem Mayor Chris Yandow, businessman Alan Ashton and UVSC Professor Malan Jackson are on the committee that will welcome the delegates, along with other Orem residents.
'These type of international relationships are always productive. Learning about different cultures can only enhance our own. Hopefully we can give them some of the knowledge they gave us on our trip,' Yandow said.
The Urumqi delegates will stay in Orem through Saturday and will then travel to Southern Utah with Jackson, who will host them at his home in Fremont.
Orem's weekly City Council Meeting has been cancelled to accommodate this visit.