At this week’s Dallas County Supervisors meeting, the board room was overflowing with students from China.

The Chinese Association of Iowa was conducting an educational tour that brought the students through Dallas County to get a look at how county government functions. The Supervisors felt their timing was fortuitous, as the meeting was also attended by representatives from the judicial branch, as well as the mayors and city leaders from towns throughout the county. The delegation presented the Board with a commemorative t-shirt, and spoke about the purpose of the tour and their experiences thus far in America.

The students ranged from middle school to college-age, and they are considered the future leaders of China. Organizers point out that when the program was in it’s early years, current Chinese President Xi Jingping had participated and had a home stay in Muscatine. This is the sixth year the Chinese Association of Iowa has travelled to Dallas County.