Published July 29 2013
With a grand celebration Monday featuring Asian folk dancers, firecrackers and the first lady of sister city Hualien, Taiwan, Bellevue's Fu Dogs or guardian lions were "awakened." The protective power of the impressive marble statues is now present at City Hall.
Government and business leaders from Taiwan, including Hualien first lady, Zhang Mei-Hui, joined local, state and U.S. elected officials at the City Hall plaza to celebrate the 30-year sister city relationship between Hualien and Bellevue. The marble Fu Dogs were a gift from Hualien in 2010. Installation was completed two weeks ago.
Bellevue City Councilmembers on hand were Mayor Conrad Lee, Deputy Mayor Jennifer Robertson and councilmembers Don Davidson and John Stokes. Congressman Adam Smith, State Representative Judy Clibborn and Deputy King County Executive Fred Jarrett also attended.
Pictures of the event, which included lion dancing, a martial arts demonstration, musical performances, folk dancing and Taiko drumming, can be seen on the city's Flickr page.
The dedication event was cosponsored by the City of Bellevue and the Bellevue Sister Cities Association. Haulien is one of four Bellevue sister cities. The others are Kladno, Czech Republic; Liepaja, Latvia; and Yao, Japan. The BSCA promotes cooperation, cultural understanding, humanitarian aid and economic development for Bellevue's sister cities.