Warrnambool is to receive a China International Friendly City Award in recognition of the work done to build the sister-city relationship with Changchun.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The award will be presented to Mayor Tony Herbert next week at the China International Friendship Cities Conference in Wuhan, China.
Cr Herbert will be accompanied by council chief executive officer Bruce Anson.
The total cost of the trip to the council is $3219. The China International Friendly City Award honours sister cities that have achieved outstanding levels of exchange and co-operation in various fields.
“This is a great honour from the Chinese government for our cosmopolitan city by the sea,” Cr Herbert said.
“It’s not simply an award for Warrnambool City Council, it’s recognition of work done by a range of people in education, tourism and our other great industries including cattle genetics and dairy.
“Changchun, with a population of 7.5 million, has a prosperous economy with an emphasis on manufacturing including high speed trains and Audi cars.
“I am very proud and honoured to represent Warrnambool and my team of councillors, who are extremely supportive of this close relationship with our sister city, Changchun.”
Warrnambool signed a sister-city agreement with Changchun in 2012.
It has led to the development of the Warrnambool China Strategy and been the catalyst for local skills and employment initiatives including the Warrnambool China Bureau and the Great Ocean Road – China Host Program.
The head of Deakin University’s Warrnambool campus, Alistair McCosh, will also travel to China for the award presentation.