Patch Chat: Talking China With Mayor Jerry Fried

On August 22, Mayor Jerry Fried will travel to China for the second time this year. The eight-day visit is designed to forge economic and cultural ties that ultimately could save Montclair taxpayers some money. His first visit, a two-week trip in May, resulted in a cultural exchange involving 22 students and teachers from China. These students stayed with host families in Montclair last month while touring both Montclair and New York City. Patch sat down with Fried this week to ask him about the relationship between Montclair and China.

Q) What was the best thing to come out of the visit by Chinese students to Montclair?

A) I think the host families had an enriching experience and they were able to show [the Chinese students] a healthy American lifestyle. People have been very effusive. I think it was great the way the Chinese student were able to get lessons in American civic life and learn about how government here is structured at the municipal, county, state, and federal levels. We pulled that trip together quickly. I had visions of having six kids staying in my house but so many people came forward wanting to host. It was great.

Q) So what's the next step in the cultural exchange?

A) I've talked to [Superintendent] Dr. [Frank] Alvarez about doing a longer exchange in 2011 and 2012. The idea will be that the Chinese students could get visas so they could study here for six months. They will be able to study at Montclair High School. We would have 10 kids in the fall and 10 in the spring as well as two teachers from China who would teach Mandarin to our kids.

Q) How would this be funded?

A) The students would stay with host families. We would not have to cover the costs when they come over. The Chinese families and the Chinese government would do that. We would have an added kid or two in the classroom but I've talked to teachers about this and it wouldn't be a big deal and wouldn't really cost anything. And we'd get the teachers from China for free. Of course the kids who come over would have to have a good command of the English language.

Q) And will Montclair students be able to go to China?

A) Hopefully we'll send students over there next summer and they will stay with families over there who are willing to host, just as we hosted them. We'd have to do some fundraisers [to help with airfare and other costs]. It's a great way to see a country.

Q) It seems like you are really fascinated by China. When did this start?

A) I'm fascinated with China just like everyoine else because of that country's meteoric rise. China is backing our currency and that's where the money is. China's investment in the United States is a big deal. We can teach them what we know and learn from them as well.

Q) How did your trip in May come about?

A) The May trip was prompted by Nelson Lee and was paid for by [the government of] China. [Lee represents a business consulting firm called Sunels International Inc.] I went to eight municipalities during that trip. The whole idea was to share information and learn from their experiences in areas like sustainability and development, and to share what we know.