Visit strengthens bond between cities

The relationship between Bunbury and its Friendship City of Jiaxing is stronger than ever following a visit from a delegation last week.

A Chinese delegation of six visited Bunbury in a bid to hear about the region’s most recent developments.

Mayor Gary Brennan said the Jiaxing representatives wanted to renew ties and strengthen exchanges in trade and economic development.

“As our two cities focus on how we can leverage our relationship in terms of trade and economic development, these visits mean more opportunities for South West businesses to export products to China, import products to China or attract Chinese tourists and students to South West,” Mr Brennan said.

“Through the good relationship developed between ECU Bunbury and Jiaxing over the past 12 years, the City hopes to attract Chinese students to live and study in Bunbury.”

He said the long-term relationship between Bunbury and Jiaxing was important in a “global economy”.

“We hope to further our Guanxi (relationships) with Jiaxing so that businesses in our respective regions can find trading partners that can build a relationship for mutual benefit,” he said.

It was the city’s first visit to Bunbury in five years.