Dunedin delegation off to China

DUNEDIN’S relationship with Shanghai will take another step forward when a delegation headed by Mayor Dave Cull departs for China’s largest city next month.

The visit by the 11strong group, from November 4 to 10, will include attending the China International Import Expo in Shanghai and meetings with representatives from the Shanghai Arts & Film Federation and business and education sectors.

More civic meetings and agreement signings will follow, including a new sister school memorandum of understanding between Guangming High

School and Otago Boys High School.

Enterprise Dunedin would also sign a partnership agreement with Guangming High School, while an agreement with the Shanghai Education Commission will be updated.

At Yu Yuan Garden, the group will attend the opening of a photographic exhibition marking the 10th anniversary of the opening of Dunedin’s Chinese Garden.

The group will also meet representatives from the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office and Jiaotong University before departing for Dunedin.

Joining Mr Cull on the trip will be deputy mayor Chris Staynes, Enterprise Dunedin director John Christie and three other Enterprise Dunedin staff members.

The University of Otago’s international office, food science department and language centre and foundation will also be represented, as willthe Dunedin Chinese Garden Trust and Dunedin Shanghai Association.