Mayor Andrew Knack, along with Explore Edmonton, will travel to China on January 3, 2026

News Release

Mayor Andrew Knack Represents Edmonton at the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival and Global Mayors’ Dialogue Celebrating 40 Years of Sister City Friendship and Highlighting Economic Development and Winter Tourism Opportunities.


Mayor Andrew Knack, along with Explore Edmonton, will travel to China on January 3, 2026, to represent Edmonton at the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, marking the 40th anniversary of the Edmonton-Harbin sister city relationship. This visit underscores Edmonton’s leadership in winter city innovation and commitment to expanding economic development and winter tourism ties. Mayor Knack is attending at the invitation of Mayor WANG Hesheng of Harbin.



Since its establishment in 1985, the partnership between Edmonton and Harbin is one of Edmonton’s longest-standing international relationships. For four decades the sister city connection between our two cities has fostered cultural exchange and municipal collaboration opportunities rooted in a shared northern climate and the embrace of winter.



This milestone anniversary offers a unique platform to deepen economic engagement through tourism and investment attraction, as well as showcasing Edmonton as a world leader in innovation as it relates to the winter economy.



“Edmonton and Harbin share not only a common climate but a deep appreciation for the potential of our winter cities,” said Mayor Knack. “This visit allows us the opportunity to celebrate four decades of partnership, explore new economic opportunities, and highlight Edmonton’s innovation and culture as a winter city.”



Mayor Knack will be speaking at a number of forums dedicated to sharing Edmonton’s successes through winter festivals, outdoor recreation, and civic expertise in winter city planning – key drivers of tourism and economic development. Delegates will explore opportunities for tourism partnerships, cultural programming, and trade initiatives that support local economies.



Mayor Knack will be participating in this conference both as Mayor of Edmonton and as the Vice President for North and South America in the World Winter Cities Association for Mayors (WWCAM), and will be reporting back learnings to inform direction in Edmonton. 

Quick Facts
Mayor Andrew Knack will be attending the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival and Global Mayors’ Dialogue honouring our 40th anniversary of our Sister City Partnership.

This mission provides the opportunity to strengthen tourism attraction to Edmonton as a winter destination, build partnerships and engage in investment attraction.

Mayor Knack received a formal invitation from Mayor WANG Hesheng of Harbin to participate in the Global Mayors Dialogue, whose theme is Ice and Snow Connecting the World, Collaboration for a Win-Win Future, the Grand opening of the 42nd Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, and attend the Harbin International Winter Economy Expo.

Mayor Knack will be meeting directly with Mayor WANG Hesheng of Harbin and with Mayors of the six additional municipalities.

This mission marks the first Mayoral-led visit to Harbin since 2015, which celebrated the 30th anniversary of the partnership.



Logistics

While in China, accommodations, meals, and local transportation are covered by the City of Harbin.

Mayor Knack and one staff member will be flying economy and staying in budget friendly accommodations. The total cost for flights for the Mayor and one staff member is $4,818.94.