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Chengdu Sister City relationship formalised
13th Sep 2012
The City of Perth and the City of Chengdu in China have cemented their ties with the signing of a formal Sister City Agreement.
Dr Ge Honglin, the Mayor of Chengdu in Sichuan Province, signed the Agreement at the 2012 China International Friendship Cities Conference in Chengdu today (September 13).
A pre-recorded video of Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi signing the Agreement in Perth recently was played at the Chengdu function.
Specially commissioned artworks by four Perth artists who visited Chengdu as part of an artists’ exchange were also on display.
Some 96 cities from 55 countries as well as 88 Chinese cities are attending the two-day event which is sponsored by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the China International Friendship Cities Association (CIFCA).
The theme of the conference is "Happy Cities, Green Life". Topics to be discussed at the conference include issues of common concern to participating cities, including urban development, emergency response and disaster relief strategies and the ageing population.
The Sister City Agreement follows the establishment in 2010 of a Charter of Mutual Friendship between the two cities.
Ms Scaffidi said the elevation of the relationship recognised the high level of activity between the two cities, particularly in the areas of cultural, civic and business exchange. This had occurred in close partnership with a number of external agencies and organisations.
“The Agreement states that the two cities will ‘cooperate in the areas of business, commerce, trade, education, energy, environmental protection, tourism, culture and governance, guided by the principles of mutual and complementary benefits and common prosperity’,” Ms Scaffidi said.
“Perth and Chengdu are signatories to an international sister cites tourism alliance (the Treaty of International Sister Cities Tourism Alliance signed in 2011).
“Already we have seen a visit to Chengdu by the WA Chinese Chamber of Commerce, an annual scholarship program ‘Picture Yourself in Perth’ and promotion of our State’s wine industry, to name just a few.
“Sichuan Province has a population of some 80 million people and Chengdu is a major gateway to the country’s western inland regions which account for a growing share of China’s trade, foreign investment and economic growth.
“There is great potential for development of economic and social relations and I urge West Australians to embrace our newest Sister City. We live in an increasingly globalised environment and there is so much to be gained by co-operation.”