As the birthplace of Taoism, Qingdao had a long history, but it was still a sleepy fishing village until 1897, when Germany occupied Qingdao by force. When the First World War broke out in 1914, Japanese invaders took over in Qingdao and continued an off-and-on colonial rule, culminating in return to the Chinese government in 1949. Ever since, it has enjoyed its seaside status as one of China’s prominent ports and cultural centers. The Long Beach-Qingdao Association was formed in the early days of China’s modernization and “opening door” policies, which created much interest in Western ideas, technologies, and investment. In our early days, the LBQA sent books in English for local schools and even an ambulance. Today, the exchanges are more business-focused or culturally dominant. Qingdao is home to the world’s largest TV-film production studio, the GE-Haier Appliance conglomerate, and Hi-Sense, one of China’s pre-eminent technology firms. These are among a few of its many sophisticated attractions. The LBQA hopes to foster more exchanges between Long Beach and Qingdao, particularly among youth who will become the next generation of “citizen Ambassadors.”