The City of Sydney has taken a 100-person delegation to Guangzhou, including Sydney businesses travelling with the Australia China Business Council and representatives from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the University of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney and the 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art. Events through the four days include a business summit, a sustainability forum, an alumni reunion, a Sydney Symphony concert and an art exhibition.
“This is the first time that the City of Sydney has led an overseas delegation of this size and scope,” the Lord Mayor said. “This is a significant visit because we value the historic and economic links that we share with Guangzhou, and we are committed to deepening these links.” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
“This 30-year milestone is evidence of the strength and maturity of our relationship, and we’re using that milestone as an opportunity to promote Sydney’s global economy and world-class cultural institutions in southern China.”
Guangzhou Mayor Wen Guohui said he was looking forward to a productive gathering of representatives from both cities to celebrate 30 years of friendship and herald a new chapter of continued cooperation.
“The close and intimate economic and cultural cooperation between our two peoples has become a fountainhead of continuing partnership between the two cities,” the Mayor of Guangzhou said. “We are excited to put into action the new opportunities that will be forged from this celebratory delegation and look ahead to strengthening our relationship.”
The City has sponsored five program partners to host events this week in Guangzhou, to showcase Sydney’s industries, businesses, sustainability initiatives and cultural and creative enterprises. The partners are: the Australia China Business Council; Sydney Symphony Orchestra; University of Sydney; University of Technology Sydney; and 4A Centre for Contemporary Art.
The partnership between Sydney and Guangzhou has benefitted from a complementary relationship at the state level, as New South Wales has an active sister-state relationship with the wider Guangdong Province.
New figures from the NSW Government show that China remains Australia’s largest market for service exports, including financial, ICT, travel and education sectors. These exports grew 20 per cent in 2015 to $9.8 billion.
NSW Premier Mike Baird said he was proud of the leading role that Sydney plays in deepening the country’s, state’s and city’s economic engagement with China.
“China is NSW’s longest trading partner and new opportunities to grow our trade and investment relationships will flow further from this year’s Guangzhou anniversary celebration trip and the China Australia Free Trade Agreement,” the Premier said. “I congratulate the City of Sydney and the Guangzhou City Government on the 30th anniversary of its sister-city relationship and look forward to the friendship deepening even further over the next 30 years.”
The Consul-General of Australia in Guangzhou, Dominic Trindade, said ties between Sydney and Guangzhou have left an indelible mark on Sydney’s unique social and cultural fabric and will continue to greatly influence the development of Australian society following this delegation.
“The 30th anniversary of sister-city relations is a celebration of Sydney and Guangzhou’s common history and a statement of ongoing commitment and friendship,” the Consul-General said. “I am grateful for the hard work of those who have helped make these celebrations possible and wish the event every success.”
