Dunedin and Shanghai’s Twenty Year Sister City Anniversary

Shanghai (Wednesday, 29 October 2014) – In recognition of Shanghai and Dunedin’s 20 year sister city relationship, Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull today presented Shanghai Municipal Government’s Mayor Yang Xiong with a hand-bound commemorative book and a pounamu, kauri and rimu carving.

Mr Cull says, “These gifts mark the significance of the Dunedin/Shanghai relationship. We have established strong bonds through our friendship and cultural exchanges over this time.

We are already close, but this brings Shanghai and Dunedin relations to a new level.”

The two anniversary gifts presented to Mayor Yang Xiong have strong Dunedin roots. The pounamu, kauri and rimu carving - symbolising new life, growth, strength and peace - was created by Dunedin artists Ewan Duff (Ngāi Tahu, Te Atiawa) and John Burke (Ngāi Tahu).

While the hand-bound book, detailing prominent moments of the sister city relationship, was created by Dunedin researcher and writer Gillian Thomas and bookbinder David Stedman.

The foundations of the sister relationship date back to 1993 when then Dunedin Mayor, Richard Walls, took a call from the Chinese Embassy and was asked if Dunedin would be interested in a sister city relationship with Shanghai. His response was, ‘Absolutely’. Following delegates visiting each city, the historic signing of the Sister City Agreement took place at Larnach Castle on 21 October 1994.

Building on the 20 year relationship, Mr Cull and Mr Yang Xiong today also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding - A New Strategic Education Partnership - between DCC’s Enterprise Dunedin and the Shanghai Education Commission.

Mr Cull says, “Right from the beginning there has been a special bond between us.

“From the first cultural exchanges, to the construction of the Dunedin Chinese Garden - which brought great collaboration with many organisations including the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai People’s Municipal Government, the DCC and the New Zealand Government - to now, 20 years later, there has been a willingness and a warmth between us. The latest agreement further adds to that. ”

The mayoral delegation also spent time in the Changning district as the Vice-Mayor of the district visited Dunedin earlier this year. The district has indicated it is keen to establish a relationship with Dunedin.

The delegation will be in Shanghai until Friday, 31 October and will fly back to Dunedin that afternoon.

ends

© Scoop Media