The Board, at its December 1 meeting, voted unanimously to approve a memorandum of understanding between the two communities. Their recommendation was forwarded to the Gilbert Town Council and at their December 12 th meeting they endorsed the Board s decision. The City of Leshan will now enter their approval process that is expected to take up to six months since it needs Central Government approval. Mr. Meder s interest in Leshan stems from the fact that he located a semiconductor company to Leshan five years ago. They have had great success in Leshan and it now employs 1700.
Plans are underway to build a fab next to their current facility.
Bill was asked by Mayor Huang Ming Quan to see if there was an interest by any city in metropolitan Phoenix to form a Sister City partnership with Leshan and Bill, in turn, contacted Gilbert. In August 2000 Gilbert Mayor Dunham sent a letter to Leshan Mayor Huang expressing an interest in exploring the potential of forming a sister city relationship with Leshan. In response, Mayor Huang sent a letter to Mayor Dunham expressing a desire to move forward with the pursuit of a partnership and inviting a delegation to Leshan. Leshan is located in southwest China, in the Sichuan Province. Under its jurisdiction are four districts, six counties and the City of Emeishan.