A 27-year Sister City relationship was strengthened this month when Bundaberg Regional Council accepted an invitation to take part in the China-ASEAN Expo from the Nanning government.
The award-winning Sister City relationship focuses on supporting economic, educational and cultural exchange.
The three-person Bundaberg Regional Council delegation incudes Sister City Committee chair Deputy Mayor Cr Steve Cooper and Sister City Committee members Cr Carmen McEneany and Cr Larine Statham-Blair.
Bundaberg Regional Council will fund the costs of flights for the delegation with the invitation from the Nanning Foreign Affairs Office including complimentary accommodation, meals and local transport for five days and four nights during the Expo.
Mayor Helen Blackburn said the invitation was a mark of respect to the Sister City relationship between Nanning and the Bundaberg Region which had been in place since 1998.
“It’s wonderful to receive this invitation from Nanning and to know they remain committed to maintaining strong ties with our region through this kind offer to host a small delegation,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“The China-ASEAN Expo is a significant international economic and trade event.
“Being invited to jointly celebrate this occasion with Nanning and further explore our common interests is just another example of the positive benefits of our long-standing Sister City relationship.”
The delegation left for Nanning in mid-September and will take the opportunity to visit the region’s Japanese Sister City Settsu on the return trip.
The Bundaberg Region delegation will be hosted by the Trade and Investment Queensland Deputy Commissioner and at the World Expo will be visiting the Australian, Japan and Chinese Pavilion.
It’s an opportunity for Bundaberg Regional Council’s first in-person meeting with Settsu Mayor Koichiro Shimano, who was newly elected in 2024.
This will be the first trip to Settsu since 2019.
“The delegation itinerary features site tours and meetings that align with the Bundaberg Region’s economic development and advocacy priorities,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“This includes key pillars of interest such as health and workforce development, hotel and investment attraction, innovation and technology, ag-tech, eco-tourism, water facilities and disaster management.”
