Wayne Brown, mayor of Auckland, New Zealand, visited Guangzhou on the afternoon of Nov 8 to foster communication and cooperation.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and New Zealand, as well as the 35th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Guangzhou and Auckland. The two cities have maintained close ties and enjoyed fruitful cooperation across various fields for many years.

As a key city and economic engine of New Zealand, Auckland is dedicated to working with Guangzhou to implement the cooperation agreements reached by the leaders of both countries. This includes deepening collaboration in trade, port operations, education, culture, and tourism, as well as enhancing mutual exchanges and learning. Guangzhou welcomes Auckland enterprises to visit and explore opportunities for cooperation, aiming to expand mutual networks and share in the development opportunities presented by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Brown expressed his admiration for Guangzhou, praising it as a beautiful city with a rich history and remarkable modern development. He highlighted the significant Chinese community in Auckland and the shared cultural openness of both cities, emphasizing their close connections across various sectors. He hopes this visit will strengthen cooperation in port trade, international shipping, and the green circular economy, promote youth and civil exchanges, and reinforce ties between China and the southern hemisphere.