How the Organization Came About
The Maine China Network’s creation began in the Fall of 2010 as an offshoot of an annual Chinese educational conference at Husson University. Several of the participants of that conference wanted to expand from not only educational exchanges with China and other Asian countries but also into more business and cultural development exchanges. These community leaders met for the first time in the small conference room at the Dyke Center for Business at Husson University.
The fledgling Maine China Network organization developed bylaws and incorporated the following year and began developing Chinese cultural events to showcase to all Mainers and the world community that there was a vibrant and growing Asian community in Central Maine.
In 2010, the Bangor City Council formalized a Sister City relationship with the Nangang District of Harbin, China, the first of its kind in the State of Maine. In 2013 a permanent monument in granite and stainless steel was erected prominently on Bangor’s Waterfront. The following year a similar monument was transported to Harbin and presented to Chinese leadership there in a formal and well publicized ceremony. The Maine China Network is proud to be headquartered in a culturally progressive region as is the Greater Bangor area.
In 2013 the first Chinese New Year Parade was held outside on Bangor’s Eastside on a sunny, slushy February Winter’s day with nearly 100 participants. Later, at the parade’s finish, the group warmed up over tea and Chinese food at Chopsticks restaurant on Center Street. In 2014 and each year since, the parade has been held within the warm Bangor Mall with festive lion and dragon dances, and has been well received by the public.
In 2014, the multi-cultural Mid-Autumn Festival was held at Indian Trail Park in Brewer, Maine and featured Chinese cultural events such as calligraphy, moon pies, origami, games, kite flying and other activities. Since then, this annual event has been expanded to include music, dancing, and acrobatics across many Asian, European, and American cultures. Chinese cuisine has been served at lunch time and business support has been very strong. Inside the Brewer Auditorium as the site for this expanding event has proven to be a great venue.
In 2019, Maine China Network reached a new milestone, we applied for and received designation as a 501 (c) (3) private non-profit tax-exempt organization. This enables us to expand our outreach and foster larger cultural events.