Christchurch Shenzhen Collaboration: Strengthening Global Ties
In an effort to deepen the Christchurch Shenzhen collaboration, Phil Mauger, the mayor of New Zealand’s second-largest city, made his first official visit to Shenzhen from Sunday to Tuesday. This visit was part of his two-week trip to China, emphasizing the growing connection between the two cities.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
During his visit, Mauger met with Shenzhen Mayor Qin Weizhong to discuss the Christchurch Shenzhen collaboration. Their discussions focused on enhancing mutual understanding and exploring opportunities for cooperation in key areas such as trade, education, culture, tourism, and wetland protection. This collaboration has been growing steadily since the two cities established friendly exchange relations through an agreement in April 2015. Furthermore, the relationship was strengthened when Christchurch joined the World Innovative Cities Cooperation Organization, an initiative led by Shenzhen, in September 2021.
Focus on Modernization and Environmental Initiatives
Mauger highlighted the importance of face-to-face interactions, stating, “Friendship is very strong, and it is so important to do face-to-face contact.” Additionally, he expressed admiration for Shenzhen’s modernization achievements, particularly the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Mauger sees these advancements as a model for Christchurch, noting, “I took photos of small BYD buses because we need some of those in our city.”
Aiming for Enhanced Connectivity
Another key topic during discussions was the resumption of direct flights between Guangzhou and Christchurch by China Southern Airlines. Additionally, Mauger expressed hope for similar direct connectivity between Shenzhen and Christchurch. He believes this would facilitate easier travel for international students and promote mutual benefits for both countries.
Impressions of Shenzhen’s Rapid Development
Mauger was particularly impressed by Shenzhen’s rapid development over the past four decades, noting the city’s leadership in technology. “You guys are light years ahead of a lot of other places around the world. I’ve been blown away. You’re just right at the cutting edge. It’s fantastic,” he remarked.
Commitment to Environmental Preservation
During the visit, Mauger also toured the city’s ecological conservation efforts, including the mangrove nature reserve. He praised Shenzhen’s commitment to environmental preservation and drew comparisons to Christchurch’s identity as a garden city. Mauger observed, “If we’re a garden city, you’ve got more trees. We’ve got it in the parks, but you have embraced it on the city streets, so it is outstanding. We should learn from what you have done.”
Looking Ahead to Future Collaboration
In conclusion, Mauger ended his visit with optimism about the future of the Christchurch Shenzhen collaboration, expressing his eagerness to further strengthen the relationship. “I really look forward to that because we really want to be involved with Shenzhen,” he said.