Timeline
Changchun and Little Rock established an official contact in 1992. Back then, mayor of Changchun was awarded the honorary citizenship of Little Rock. On June 2, 1994, the two cities formally established a sister city relationship. Over the years, the two cities have maintained the practice of sending delegations to each other every year, and have conducted extensive exchanges in economy, education, sports, environmental protection, urban construction, social welfare and youths. The two cities exchanged delegations to participate in cultural events such as music festivals, film festivals, sculpture exhibitions and photo exhibitions held in both cities. For many years, they exchanged players to participate in the marathon competitions in each other’s places. Changchun organized quite a number of citizen delegations to visit Little Rock. Mayor of Little Rock planted a tree in Changchun, symbolizing the long-term friendship between the people of the two cities. The frequent friendly exchanges between the two cities have shortened the distance between the peoples and promoted the blending of Chinese and American culture. In 2014, Changchun and Little Rock were awarded the “Community Participation Award” in the “China-US Sister Cities Award” jointly sponsored by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Sister Cities International in the United States.
In October 1992, Xu Qing, chairman of Changchun CPPCC, led a delegation to visit Little Rock，and Little Rock awarded the title of honorary citizen to mayor of Changchun.
In April 1993, Ms. Carter, member of the Little Rock Sister Cities Commission, led a delegation to visit Changchun.
In May and October 1993, Little Rock Mayor Daley led two delegations to visit Changchun respectively.
In January 1994, Changchun Municipal CPC Committee Secretary Wang Yunkun led a delegation to visit Little Rock.
In May 1995, Changchun Acrobatic Delegation went to Little Rock to attend Riverfest Arts and Music Festival.
In July 1995, Roberts, a member of the Little Rock Sister Cities Commission, visited Changchun.
In June 1996, Xu Dan, a member of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Changchun), went to the First Commercial Bank of Little Rock for training.
In August 1996, a delegation from Little Rock participated in the third China Changchun Film Festival.
In July 1997, a filming team of Zhengda Zongyi, a program of CCTV, went to Little Rock to film international sister cities series.
In June 1997, Yin Wen, deputy mayor of Changchun, led a delegation to visit Little Rock. Xiao Yuqiang, a staff member of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Changchun), went to Little Rock for training.
In August 2008, sculptors from Little Rock came to Changchun to participate in the Changchun Sculpture Exhibition.
In September 2008, vice chairman of Changchun CPPCC led a citizen delegation to visit Little Rock.
In November 2010, Little Rock Mayor Sdodra led a delegation to visit Changchun.
In October 2011, deputy secretary general of Changchun Municipal Government, led a delegation to visit Little Rock.
In August 2012, Changchun held an American Landscape & Culture Exhibition.
In March 2013, Li Zhijian, deputy secretary of Changchun Sports Bureau, led a delegation to visit Little Rock.
In September 2013, Polkovsky, a member of Little Rock Sister Cities Commission, visited Changchun.
In February 2014, Changchun athletes Shao Dan and Lin Xue both won the first place in their respective groups and the 16th and 20th places of the total scores at the International Marathon Invitational Tournament held in Little Rock.
In September 2014, on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the sister city relationship between the two cities, Ms. Doris White, deputy mayor of Little Rock, led a delegation to visit Changchun.
In March 2015, Changchun athlete Yao Long won the first place in the men's team at the International Marathon Invitational Tournament held in Little Rock, and was interviewed by local TV stations.
In March 2016, a delegation from Changchun Sports Bureau visited Little Rock. Doris, deputy mayor of Little Rock, met with the delegation. Changchun athletes Wang Qinglin and Dong Ruihuang achieved good results in the International Marathon Invitational Tournament held in Little Rock, and respectively won the championship in Half Marathon and second place in Marathon.
In March 2017, Changchun sports delegation went to Little Rock to carry out sports exchanges and was warmly received by the local government. Little Rock Deputy Mayor Doris and Ashvin Vibaka , president of the International Sister Cities Commission, met with the delegation.
In March 2018, in order to promote exchanges with the citizen sports work in the sister cities of North America, and complete the exchange plan signed by Changchun and its sister cities, Changchun sent a delegation to Little Rock to participate in the annual International Marathon Invitational Tournament. Two athletes from Changchun, Liu Xiangying and Jiang Yunshan, respectively won the first and third place in their age groups, a very satisfactory achievement.
