Nelson and Sister City Huangshi celebrate 20 year relationship

Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese and Huangshi Mayor Dong Weimin have today renewed and strengthened their Sister City agreement, at an official re-signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding.

The ceremony marked the 20th anniversary of the Sister City relationship between the two cities.

Mayor Rachel Reese acknowledged the important milestone for both Nelson and Huangshi.

“As Mayor of Nelson, I am very proud of our close and enduring connection with our Sister City, Huangshi,” she said.

“Today, in re-signing our Memorandum of Understanding, we are further protecting and enhancing our bond between our cities for the next 20 years and beyond.”

The Huangshi Mayoral delegation coincides with Nelson’s inaugural China Week, an idea originally put forward by the Chinese Consul-General Jin Zhijian last year, along with New Zealand’s Chinese Language Week.

As part of the celebrations, Mayor Reese hosted the delegation at the Huangshi Chinese Gardens in Queens Gardens where they planted a tea tree, along with visiting a local business and local art display, showcasing children’s artwork from Nelson schools, side-by-side with Huangshi schools.

“Sister City relationships are extremely valuable and play a mutually beneficial role to both communities involved,” said Mayor Reese. “I believe there is significant potential to grow joint trade and business ventures, as well as numerous opportunities for shared learning and development.

“I am particularly hopeful our relationship can bring mutual benefits in the areas of education, business, environmental protection and tourism.

“The opportunities for growth and partnership between Nelson and cities such as Huangshi are endless and it is this relationship which enables us to pursue these possibilities together,” she said.

ENDS

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