Toowoomba Region strengthens education ties with Zhejiang Province, China

Toowoomba Region this week welcomed three education and tourism agents from the Zhejiang Service Centre for International Friendship Exchanges ahead of the November signing of a new sister city relationship with Yuecheng District, Shaoxing in China.

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio said we have bold ambitions to build trade and tourism links directly with the world’s economic powerhouse.

“China is set to become the world’s largest economy and we want to seize the emerging opportunities for our region’s tourism, education, agriculture and service industries, Mayor Antonio said.

 “China is the next horizon for international tourism with visitor numbers from Asia growing by more than 10% last year. (Source: Southern Queensland Country Regional Snapshot)

“International Education will play an important role in our region’s economy and with a proud history of educational excellence, Toowoomba offers a safe and welcoming community to support overseas students.

“Council has been building strong ties with the Yuecheng District in Zhejiang Province since the signing of an initial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two regions in 2016.

“The purpose of the visit was for delegates to gain an understanding of education facilities in the region ahead of the inaugural Little Ambassadors student exchange proposed for February 2019.

“The agents will be meeting with education providers and international students to observe our highly regarded education capabilities.

“The delegates will see some of the highlights of our region and engage with industry representatives to facilitate the promotion of the region as a destination to residents of Shaoxing.

“The district of Yuecheng, in Zhejiang Province, encompasses the central business area of the municipality of Shaoxing, which is home to around five million people. Importantly, Shaoxing borders the prominent city of Hangzhou, which has a population of 25 million people.

“The broad-level MOU outlines that the two regions will carry out exchanges and foster cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, science and technology, culture, tourism, education, sports, health and personnel to promote mutual prosperity and development, Mayor Antonio said.

“I look forward to signing a formal sister-city agreement with the Yuecheng District, Shaoxing, which is in the Zhejiang province, in the coming months and cementing links directly with this important Chinese region.