Qiqihar, China

Our Partner City.
An Open Invitation.

New Castle County and Qiqihar have been formally linked since November 2014 — when NCIC brought both governments to the table and made history as the first county-level US-China sister city agreement in Delaware. A decade later, we're ready to build on what we started.

About Qiqihar

A City of 6 Million.
A Partner Worth Knowing.

Qiqihar is a prefecture-level city in Heilongjiang Province in northeastern China — the second-largest city in the province and one of the most important industrial and agricultural centers in the country.

Designated by China as the "Capital of Organic Food" and "The Machinery City," Qiqihar is a study in productive contradiction — ancient garrison city turned modern industrial powerhouse, with a food production ecosystem that feeds much of China.

NCIC has direct relationships with Qiqihar's government and business community, built over two years of in-person meetings, delegation exchanges, and a signed bilateral agreement that is still in effect today. We know this city, its people, and its ambitions. And we believe the best chapter of this partnership is still ahead.

~6MPopulation
$20B+GDP
#1Capital of Organic Food in China
1,200+Food Manufacturing Companies
2014Sister City Agreement with NCC
ActiveAgreement Still in Force
What Qiqihar Produces

Industrial Strengths & Export Opportunities

Qiqihar's economy spans heavy industry, organic agriculture, and food processing — creating direct complementary opportunities with New Castle County's logistics, financial services, and consumer market access.

🌾

Organic Food & Agriculture

China's designated Organic Food Capital. Over 1,200 food manufacturing companies. Major producers of organic grains, soybeans, dairy, and specialty foods. Mengniu dairy — one of China's largest — has manufacturing presence in Qiqihar.

US Match: Port of Wilmington cold chain logistics, Delaware food processing infrastructure, Northeast consumer market access
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Heavy Machinery & Equipment

Qiqihar is "The Machinery City" — a major producer of heavy machinery, railroad equipment, rolling stock, machine tools, diesel engines, and cranes. Home to major state-owned enterprises in industrial manufacturing.

US Match: Infrastructure development projects, port equipment needs, advanced manufacturing partnerships
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Dairy & Food Processing

The Nen River plain surrounding Qiqihar is one of China's premier dairy farming districts. Significant production of milk powder and dairy products. Sugar refining from local sugar beets. Major food processing infrastructure.

US Match: American dairy technology and equipment, cold storage expertise, USDA-compliant processing partnerships
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Timber & Wood Products

Access to timber from the Da Hinggan (Greater Khingan) Range — one of China's largest forested areas. Large woodworking sector and paper production.

US Match: Delaware construction sector, Wilmington building materials market
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Textiles & Electronics

Diversified industrial base including textile manufacturing and electronics production. Growing light manufacturing sector alongside traditional heavy industry.

US Match: American retail distribution, Northeast consumer market entry
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Consumer Goods & Beverages

Alcohol manufacturing and consumer goods companies actively seeking US distribution partners. Chinese consumer brands with interest in establishing American market presence.

US Match: Delaware LLC structure for US market entry, Philadelphia-area distribution networks, retail partnerships
Our Shared History

What We Built Together

Agreement signing
November 2014 — Official Sister City Agreement Signed
Boardroom meeting
2016 — Joint Economic Development Summit, NCC Government Center
Delegation dinner
2016 — Delegation Dinner with Chinese Corporate Leaders

The NCC-Qiqihar relationship was built through years of patient relationship-building — not government grant programs or formal diplomatic channels. NCIC principals traveled to China, hosted delegations in Delaware, coordinated meetings between Chinese corporate executives and Delaware officials, and navigated the complex cultural and political landscape on both sides.

The result was the only county-level US-China sister city agreement in Delaware — a formal bilateral framework covering economy, trade, science, technology, culture, education, sports, and tourism. That agreement is still on the books. The relationship is ready to be reactivated.

A Direct Message

To Our Friends in Qiqihar

We haven't forgotten what we built together. The agreement we signed in 2014 was just the beginning — and the work that followed, the meetings, the delegation visits, the conversations about port investment and education exchange and organic food distribution, showed us what this partnership could be.

New Castle County has new leadership. The region has matured. And NCIC is back — with a clearer vision, a stronger platform, and a genuine desire to finish what we started.

We are actively inviting Qiqihar's government, businesses, and educational institutions to reconnect. The education exchange programs we discussed. The organic food distribution opportunities. The investment pathways into the American market. All of it remains on the table.

If you are reading this in Qiqihar — in government, in business, in a school or university — we would like to hear from you. NCIC is ready to work.

Reconnect With NCIC →
Qiqihar location in China
Qiqihar — Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China
Delaware to Qiqihar
New Castle County, Delaware ↔ Qiqihar, China