Shanghai delegation to Dunedin

Dunedin (Monday, 19 September 2016) – Dunedin will further boost its sister city relationship with Shanghai when a high-level delegation from China's largest city visits here later this week.

The visiting delegation will be led by Mrs Yin Yicui, Chairwoman of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress – the highest ranking official to visit Dunedin in an official capacity.

The main purpose of the delegation's visit is to re-sign the Sister City memorandum of understanding between Dunedin and Shanghai on Thursday.

Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull says Dunedin is already reaping the benefits of its strong relationships with China, particularly in the areas of education, tourism and trade.

As well as established links between the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic with their counterparts in Shanghai, there are now eight partnerships between Dunedin and Shanghai schools.

Mr Cull says the updated MoU with Shanghai will build on existing relationships and also have an increased focus on science, technology and innovation; sustainability and environmental protection; and creative industries and networks.

"As part of the updated agreement, the DCC through Enterprise Dunedin will be engaging with the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission with a view to collaborative research opportunities with the likes of the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic.

"Earlier this year, Shanghai Mayor Yang Xiong and I discussed opportunities to include sustainability in the updated agreement. The context for this addition is for our cities to exchange knowledge and expertise on reducing our carbon footprint, responding to climate change and taking advantage of economic opportunities in a changing energy context.

"The updated MoU is also an opportunity to recognise that, like Shanghai, Dunedin is also now a UNESCO Creative City. We will be looking at opportunities for cultural exchange and other ways to collaborate through our respective statuses," says Mr Cull.

Also during the visit, Enterprise Dunedin and Shanghai Media Group, one of China's largest media and cultural companies, will sign a MoU aimed at making it easier for Chinese production companies to film in Dunedin and Otago, allowing the region to be better showcased to the Chinese market.

Enterprise Dunedin Director John Christie says the MoU with Shanghai Media Group will offer other opportunities for the Dunedin community, across a range of sectors including tourism, media and online business.

The other exciting event during the delegation's visit will be the opening of a Shanghai photographic exhibition in the Shanghai Room of the Municipal Chambers.

Mr Cull says the Shanghai Municipal Government gifted the photographs to Dunedin City Council on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the sister city relationship in 2014.

The photographs, which feature panoramic and cultural images, will be permanently exhibited in the Shanghai Room.

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