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International partnerships

Introduction | Background | Sister cities | Friendship cities | Strategic alliance | Strategic environment | Key themes | Covec report | Brisbane | Busan | Fukuoka | Guangzhou | Hamburg | Los Angeles | Shinagawa | Tomioka | Study visits

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Guangzhou - sister city

Background

The Auckland-Guangzhou sister city agreement was signed in 1989, in response to the large population of local Chinese residents from Guangdong Province (Guangzhou is the capital of Guangdong Province). Auckland has enjoyed a very active relationship with Guangzhou including a wide variety of tourism, trade, education, sport, cultural, municipal administration and community initiatives.

For information about Guangzhou, visit Guangzhou International, the official English website of Guangzhou Municipality.

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Some examples of programmes

Trade mission

Auckland City Council led a trade delegation to the 103rd China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, China. Formerly the Canton Fair, this is China's largest trade fair by attendance and turnover. The main organisers are the New Zealand China Trade Association and the Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern) Inc.

The trade mission to Guangzhou was hot on the heels of the China-NZ free trade agreement. New Zealand is entering new territory with the agreement, which promises to tear down trade barriers. Read about the FTA here.

Auckland-Guangzhou 2020 Committee

This working group assists council with sister city initiatives, such as business missions, tourism promotions and cultural events. The committee is represented by members from business, education and community based organisations.

Sport exchanges

A soccer team and a dragon boat team have participated in invitational tournaments in Guangzhou.

Auckland Lantern Festival

Guangzhou is often involved in the annual Auckland Lantern Festival in Albert Park, sending craftspeople and donating large lanterns for display at the event.

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China import and export fair

October - November 2008

Traditionally known as the Canton Fair, the China import and export fair has been held biannually in Auckland's sister city of Guangzhou since 1957.  It is China's largest trade fair by attendance and business turnover.

Anyone wishing to attend the fair can find out more on www.cantonfair.org.cn/en/.

We have supported this event in past years, most recently with a trade delegation in April 2008 to coincide with the signing of the Free Trade Agreement with China.

Updated August 2008