Mayor Signs Sister City Relationship with Chengdu, China

A new Sister City relationship with one of China’s largest cities will not only deepen cultural but also economic ties between the Gold Coast and Chengdu, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said.

Speaking from the special signing ceremony in Chengdu last night, Mayor Tom Tate said he was excited by the opportunities this relationship would bring our city particularly in the areas of education, health, medical research and tourism.

Mayor Tate joined Mayor of Chengdu, Mr Luo Qiang and other government and industry VIPs from both cities in Chengdu at the ceremony to formally affirm the Gold Coast and Chengdu’s sister city relationship.

“Becoming sister cities has been a work in progress over the past five years and I’m so pleased to have secured this agreement for the Gold Coast with one of China’s economic powerhouse cities,” said Mayor Tate.

The Mayoral Mission to China is one of the largest Gold Coast delegations yet, consisting of health and medical companies, Study Gold Coast, 15 education providers and Destination Gold Coast.

“I’m excited at the economic and cultural opportunities the Gold Coast will gain from being sister cities with Chengdu, but none more so than in the areas of education, health, medical, research and tourism,”

“International students contribute millions of dollars to our local economy each year so tapping into Chengdu’s 14 million population has enormous potential for attracting future students to come and study on the Gold Coast,”

“I welcome Study Gold Coast’s inclusion in this Mayoral Mission because they know just how important the Chinese market is and how this formal relationship with Chengdu will help grow the Gold Coast’s education sector,”

“China remains the Gold Coast’s number one source market for international visitors, helping prop up our tourism industry. The Gold Coast has surf, beach, sand, hinterland and entertainment offerings that directly appeal to the Chinese tourist, so I have no doubt that our sister city relationship with Chengdu will give our city millions of dollars in exposure other cities could only dream about,” said Mayor Tate.

Mayor Tate said he looks forward to a long and prosperous sister city relationship with Chengdu.

“Through our sister city signing, we formally affirm the City of Gold Coast’s commitment to deepen the cultural and economic ties with Chengdu for our enduring and mutual benefit,”

“With the energy of our strong friendship, the Gold Coast looks forward to a closer and prosperous friendship with Chengdu,” said Mayor Tate.

In 2014 Mayor Tate secured the signing of a Letter of Intent between Chengdu and the City of Gold Coast, which was followed by a Memorandum of Understanding in 2016. Chengdu is considered a prosperous Chinese city and one of the most important economic, transportation and communication centres in West China.

*Gold Coast and Chengdu Engagement History

In May 2019 the Mayor of Chengdu led a delegation to the Gold Coast to participate in Sport AccordIn April 2019 a local Gold Coast Sculptor was selected to participate in the 2019 Chengdu International Sister Cities Sculptures Creation and Exhibition Site Visit Program held in ChengduIn February 2019 a local Gold Coast family travelled to Chengdu during Chinese New Year to participate in the Little Panda Reporter’s Program.In August 2018 an officer from the Chengdu Foreign Affairs Office visited the Gold Coast for two weeks to learn about our city and industry sectorsIn May 2018 a City of Gold Coast officer participated in the short-term Chengdu Civil Servant Exchange Program for International Sister Cities.In May 2017 Mayor Tom Tate led a Mayoral Mission to Chengdu to participate in the Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fair.A Letter of Intent was signed to enter the Belt and Road Exchange Centre, as part of the China One Belt, One Road Initiative designed to promote economic cooperation through increased trade and investment activity in the area.In May 2017 two City of Gold Coast officers participated in the short-term Chengdu Civil Servant Exchange Program for International Sister Cities.In 2017 Emmanuel College travelled to Chengdu to take part in the 2017 Chengdu International Sister Cities Youth Music Festival.In November 2016 the Vice Mayor of Chengdu led a delegation to visit the Gold Coast and met with Mayor Tom TateIn September 2016 Mayor Tom Tate led a trade mission to China, visiting Chengdu and signing a Memorandum of Understanding to progress the relationship with the intention of forming a Sister City relationship in the future.In 2016 Gold Coast competed in the Australia-Southwest China Sister City Photo Competition.In 2015 a City of Gold Coast Officer was the recipient of the Chengdu Civil Servant Exchange Scholarship to study and work in Chengdu for four months.In 2015 Gold Coast and Chengdu facilitated a Public Art Design Competition which resulted in the winners from each city visiting the other city for seven days.In October 2014 Mayor Tom Tate led a trade mission to China, visiting Chengdu and signing a Letter of Intent to Establish a Friendly Relationship.In March 2014 Mayor Tom Tate led a trade mission to China, visiting Chengdu for the first time.