Norwich – Education in China and Norwich might seem a world apart, but the two corners of the world got together Monday to learn about their similarities and differences in a growing sister city relationship between Wuxi, China and Norwich.

Several education officials – including the headmaster of a 4,000-student middle school – toured the Kelly Middle School and the Norwich Free Academy campus with city school and city leaders Monday. They then signed a memorandum of understanding recognizing "the need to broaden the students' view of the world and to help teachers obtain better training so that they can facilitate this process."

Mayor Peter Nystrom said the tour helps spread the word that Norwich is serious about attracting foreign investors to the city. He pointed out that the Wuxi delegation asked for the Norwich tour, not the reverse, proving that there is interest in the city from abroad.

On Wednesday, Nystrom will host a different business delegation from Wuxi at 11 a.m. at City Hall. City officials will give a presentation on specific investment opportunities, including the Marina at American Wharf. The City Council tonight will begin discussing whether to purchase the marina from the estate of deceased founder Ronald Aliano.

Other city business and land owners will be invited to Wednesday's meeting to discuss their properties. Norwich Rotary will describe its project to build an electric-powered shuttle and its desire to attract an alternative fuel automobile manufacturer to Norwich.

During Monday's tour, Norwich Superintendent Abby Dolliver explained that the $40.2 million renovation and expansion at Kelly Middle School was voted on and funded by taxpayers. Dolliver said the new 800-seat auditorium and two front meeting rooms would host community events.

Wang Hui Dong, headmaster of the Jiangsu Faihu Senior Middle School, said China is just starting to experiment with inviting community members into school operations, but China has nothing like the U.S. concept of local boards of education. He said classes are very structured, based on bookwork. In America, he said, the emphasis is on the student's ability.

"We can make exchanges from the teachers to the students to learn from each other," he said of the cooperative agreement.

The group got a surprise at NFA, when four Chinese students, three seniors and one freshman, greeted the group and served as tour guides. The students briefly told their stories of how long they have lived in the United States and about their experiences at NFA.

Bringing NFA Diversity Director Leo Butler to the foreground, Nuobei Zhang, a senior from Baltic, told the Chinese officials how Butler helps immigrant students from anywhere in the world become familiar with the school and the class work.

"They can go to his classroom anytime," Norwich businessman Libo Suen interpreted, "and they are very grateful for him. His help is hard to measure."

c.bessette@theday.com