Linyi delegation visits New Zealand and Australia to foster cooperation

Linyi, Nov. 29 – A delegation from Linyi City, led by Yu Shengtao, Deputy Secretary of the Linyi Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and Mayor of Linyi, conducted a visit to New Zealand and Australia from November 23 to 28. The visit aimed to deepen exchanges, strengthen collaboration, and promote practical cooperation across a wider range of fields and at a deeper level.

In New Zealand, the delegation held meetings with prominent figures including David Carter, former Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives and Honorary President of the New Zealand-China Friendship Society; Mike Dawson, Advisor to the New Zealand-China International Trade Promotion Association (NCITPA) and President of the New Zealand-China Friendship Society; and He Zhiyun, President of the NCITPA. The delegation participated in the China (Shandong)-New Zealand Economic and Trade Cooperation Symposium, hosted the China (Linyi)-New Zealand Economic and Trade Matchmaking Meeting, and conducted site visits to Beko Electronics and Fushenna Forestry Company. A series of consensuses were reached on strengthening cooperation in areas such as trade and industry.

During the Australian leg of the tour, the delegation met with Zoe Bettison, South Australian Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Tourism, and Gillian Aldridge, Mayor of the City of Salisbury. They attended the China (Shandong)-Australia Economic and Trade Exchange Conference and the "Visit Shandong, Home of Confucius" Sydney Tourism and Culture Promotion Event, where they presented investment and cooperation opportunities in Linyi. The delegation also hosted the China (Linyi)-Australia Economic and Trade Matchmaking Meeting and renewed the Sister City Agreement with the City of Salisbury. Xiao Dong, President of the Australia-Asia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was appointed as an International Economic Advisor to Linyi. The delegation visited the Sydney headquarters of Rio Tinto Group, First Channel Group, and Odero Gas Australia, reaching consensus on deepening cooperation in cultural tourism, trade and investment, energy and resources, and industrial upgrading.

In his exchanges with representatives from various sectors in New Zealand and Australia, Mayor Yu Shengtao highlighted Linyi's profile as a renowned commercial hub, logistics capital, and a top 100 manufacturing city in China. He emphasized that Linyi is currently driving high-level opening-up through the internationalization of the Linyi Mall, accelerating the development of a new global gateway for international trade. This, he noted, presents vast business opportunities and significant potential for collaboration. Mayor Yu expressed Linyi's willingness to work with all sectors to enhance communication, engage in practical cooperation, deepen friendly exchanges, expand collaborative spaces, and jointly embark on a new journey of mutual development and shared prosperity.

Translated by intern Gu Yu

Editor：Lotus