BY MICHELLE KEY, PUBLISHER
OPELIKA — Todd Rauch of Opelika was recently selected by the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) for a bipartisan delegation visit to China. It’s the first time the organization has taken a group to China.
ACYPL chose seven emerging leaders for this special trip to China. In addition to Rauch, who represents Ward 5 on the Opelika City Council, the delegation includes Ashton Clemons of the North Carolina House of Representatives; Ryan Pearson the state Senate Majority Leader of Rhode Island; Tommy Preson, vice president of ethics for the Boeing Company; Ashley Sisca Klingensmith, state director of Americans for Prosperity; Stephanie Moreno, judicial education program manager for the Texas Association of Counties; and Arlie Ziskend, director of External Relations for ACYPL.
The trip kicked off last week with an overnight stop in Washington D.C. for briefings with the U.S. State Department and the Chinese Embassy. The following day, the delegation embarked on its 27-hour journey to Beijing, China.
Since arriving in Beijing, the group has visited the Yonghe Lama Temple, the China Youth Daily, the All China Youth Federation, the Palace Museum, Jingshan Park, Meituan Headquarters and the Great Wall of China.
Rauch has been sharing his experience on his Opelika Ward 5 Facebook page. In one post he said he has been sharing items from Opelika with some of the local children he has met.
“Many of these Chinese citizens, especially children, have never met an American before,” Rauch wrote. “I was proud to pass along an Opelika Fire Department and Opelika Police Department coin to a few of the kids I met, and I hope they remember the experience. I know I won’t forget it.”
ABOUT ACYPL:
Since being founded in 1966, the American Council of Young Political Leaders has given elected officials and policy experts a global perspective through our international exchange programs. We believe in bringing people together across oceans, borders and the political spectrum to foster mutual understanding, respect and friendships among the next generation of leaders worldwide.
Its mission is to provide young leaders from both the United States and around the world with the opportunity to learn about international affairs through meaningful exchanges of people and ideas which build relationships that can last a lifetime.