Bristol has welcomed its second high powered delegation from the Guangzhou region in as many weeks, underlining the city’s importance as a springboard for closer relations with China.
Organised by the West of England China Bureau and Bristol City Council, the delegation from the Guangzhou International Innovation City was in Bristol to discuss closer cooperation between Bristol and its sister city.
The delegation met Mayor George Ferguson and senior members of the city council, as well as business leaders.
The delegation was given a rundown of key issues including Bristol as a Future City, as well as an outline on data platforms and Bristol’s plans for its forthcoming year as European Green Capital 2015.
Members of the delegation, which included high ranking planners and education chiefs, delivered a rundown on the Guangzhou International Innovation City which encompasses the higher education mega centre located on Xiaoguwei Island in the Panyu district of Guangzhou.
West of England China Bureau Chief Executive Officer Dianne Francombe said the visit was designed to give both cities a greater understanding of each city’s educational, industrial and energy sectors with a view to strengthening the relationship between Bristol and Guangzhou by establishing a Bristol-Panyu Urbanisation and Cooperation group.
Dianne Francombe said: “Once again the sheer size of the organisations we are dealing with is truly impressive and offers Bristol some great opportunities for mutual learning. The fact they are interested in visiting Bristol to listen to our civic leaders and planners is very encouraging.”
George Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol said: “Our relationship with Guangzhou is one of great potential mutual benefit and I am delighted to welcome this important delegation to Bristol. When Mayor Chen and I signed our Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of Premier Li last year we opened the door for economic, academic and cultural trade between our great cities, and it’s good to see this turned into action.
“Guangzhou International Innovation City presents some tremendous opportunities for many Bristol industries, and today we’ve discussed the potential for joint construction, education or research projects; as well as what we can learn from each other in terms of creating healthy, liveable and innovative modern cities, a major theme of our year as European Green Capital.”
The delegation from Innovation City follows hot on the heels on a high powered business delegation from neighbouring Shenzhen which visited Bristol last week to look at the commercial property and business opportunities in the area.
Dianne Francombe went on: “Guangzhou is at the centre of the region’s industrialization programme and is home to a modern service industry, as well as being a supercomputing centre so it has a great deal in common with Bristol.”
Stephen Hilton, Bristol City Council’s Service Director for Economic, Green and Digital Futures added: “As one of the global cities shortlisted for the Guangzhou International Award for Innovation, we’ve been extremely pleased to have this opportunity to share our approach with such a high level delegation.
“Today has given us the chance to share a range of expertise and knowledge as part of our agreement to provide advice on creating people-friendly places. China is moving forward with its plans to build hundreds of new cities which are more closely based on successful European cities, and we’re making great progress towards closer working relationships which benefit both sides.”
