"I'm an eco-friendly designer, using eco-friendly fashion. I used organic cotton and linens in my line. The fabrics I used were made in Shanghai but designed in the United States," said Legarda.

On the banks of the Huangpu River across from the World Expo stands Chase Chen's sculpture "The Sprout." The tribute to the sister cities is a permanent stainless steel sculpture recycled from a 23-ton cauldron in the former Shanghai No. 3 Steel Factory.

Chase, brother of actress-director Joan Chen, recalled the 1960s when he and other children recycled scrap metal to boost China's steel production.

"During the 'cultural revolution' (1966-76), we collected any metal we could find - our own pots and drain covers from the street - and took it to the smelters to be melted down," said Chase, who emigrated in 1985 from Shanghai to California.

"When I found the cauldron, instead of melting it down, I wanted to keep it," said Chase, who worked with Shanghai to convert the relic into artwork.

A stainless steel stalk, bathed with green light in the evening, emerges from the rusty, eroded cauldron symbolizing the roots of Chase's sister.

"One was what made me who I am and all my formative years. My roots are in Shanghai. San Francisco is a place that opened its arms and welcomed me and now is my home.

"So, it's perfect for these two cities to have this symbol. It symbolizes a great friendship," said Joan, a San Francisco film commissioner who maintains close ties with Shanghai and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Beyond the green, San Francisco's artistic community invigorates the sister city relationship.

"People may speak different languages, but everyone shares a common enjoyment of art," said Fang, chairman of the Sister City Committee.

"By bringing all these artists and performance groups that represent the different communities of San Francisco, we are giving a heartfelt message of people-to-people appreciation to our brothers and sisters in Shanghai.

"This was a phenomenal display of the can-do attitude of San Francisco. The cultural groups represented San Francisco's strong point - the racial and ethnic diversity of our people," he said.

Some 125 of the delegates included Chinese Americans from the St Mary's Chinese Girls Drum and Bell Corps, Murphy-Comerford Irish Dance Company, a Filipino American fashion designer, the African and Japanese American-led Glide Ensemble and Samoan dancers of the Pacific Islander Youth Alliance.

Many of them were ecstatic in their first trip away from the United States to China. Some tried to learn some Mandarin to bond with Shanghai residents.

Among them were nine-year-old and 10-year-old children delivering a melodious message to Shanghai at the United Airlines luncheon honoring Sister City Business Management Program graduates and alumni.

"The kids were able to make a difference, to come to Shanghai, create peace through music. They felt so empowered," said Michelle Lewis, director ofNorthern Lights Children's Peace Choir.