Cerritos City Council Reviews History and Future of Sister City Programs

Cerritos City Council has taken significant steps to revitalize its sister city program, which has been a part of the community since the 1960s. During the meeting on August 14, 2025, the council received an informative report detailing the history and impact of past sister city relationships, including those with Itapatinga, Brazil; Pan Chao, Taiwan; and Loreto, Mexico.

Director of Community and Cultural Services, Annie Hilton, presented the report, highlighting the cultural and educational exchanges that have occurred over the years. Notably, Cerritos has established meaningful connections through these partnerships, such as the donation of firefighting equipment to Loreto and the display of a vase from Pan Chao in the Cerritos library.

However, council members expressed concerns about the effectiveness of these relationships. Council Member Say emphasized the need for tangible outcomes, urging that sister city partnerships should foster cultural change, educational opportunities, and economic benefits. He suggested involving local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce to strengthen these connections.

Council Member Hong echoed these sentiments, questioning the sustainability of past sister city relationships and advocating for a more strategic approach to ensure that future partnerships yield real benefits for Cerritos residents.

In response to these concerns, Mayor Pro Tem Johnson assured the council that the city would seek to partner with nonprofit organizations to facilitate these relationships, minimizing fiscal impact on the city budget. She also announced plans to explore a new sister city in the Philippines, with the Economic Development Commission tasked with guiding the selection process.

The council unanimously voted to receive and file the report, marking a renewed commitment to enhancing the sister city program. As the city moves forward, it aims to ensure that these international partnerships not only celebrate cultural diversity but also deliver concrete benefits to the Cerritos community.