Toowoomba Region to formalise ties with Chinese City

A delegation from the Toowoomba Region led by Mayor Paul Antonio will travel to Shaoxing, China to sign a formal friendship city agreement with Yuecheng District. While in China, the delegation will meet with industry and commerce networks, health professionals and education representatives before attending the 2nd Shaoxing International Friendship Cities Conference.

Mayor Antonio said the Friendship City agreement with Yuecheng District, in the Zhejiang Province, will help Toowoomba Region build education, trade and tourism links with the world’s economic powerhouse.

“Over the next five to ten years China will become the world’s largest economy. This agreement allows Toowoomba Regional Council to seize the emerging opportunities for the region’s education, tourism and export industries.

“Yuecheng District is the central business area of the city of Shaoxing, home to around five million people. Importantly, Shaoxing borders the prominent city of Hangzhou whose permanent residents number approximately 10 million.

“With an international airport in Hangzhou, developing a rapport with such a significant area will assist in the continual growth of our region’s international trade industry and greatly benefit our community.

“The Friendship City agreement aims to promote international study options, promote tourism between our regions, enhance business exchanges and encourage cultural events and festivals to promote mutual prosperity and development, Mayor Antonio said.

“International Education is set to play an important role in our region’s economy. With a rich tradition in educational excellence, we look forward to welcoming students from the Zhejiang province to our highly regarded schools and university.

“Council has been working towards a Friendship City relationship with the Yuecheng District since the signing of the initial Memorandum of Understanding in 2016.

“This relationship has the potential to build important trade links with an emerging region of China, Mayor Antonio said.

 “Yuecheng District, Shaoxing will join Takatsuki, Japan; Paju, South Korea and Whanganui, New Zealand as Toowoomba Region Sister Cities.

“International sister city relationships are important because they build trade relationships, enhance cultural exchanges and in doing so, enrich our community.”

More information about international sister city relationships can be found at www.tr.qld.gov.au/about-council/sister-cities/about-sister-cities.