Bristol and its Chinese sister city Guangzhou are to explore closer links between their important educational, industrial and energy sectors following the second visit by a high-powered delegation to Bristol in as many weeks.
A Bristol-Panyu Urbanisation and Cooperation group is to be established to look at how the pioneering cities can work together in areas such as using smart technology in urban areas and energy efficiency. Panyu is a district of Guangzhou housing the Guangzhou International Innovation City.
Organised by the West of England China Bureau and Bristol City Council, the delegation from Guangzhou International Innovation City met Mayor George Ferguson and senior members of the city council, as well as business leaders.
The delegation was given a rundown of key issues including Bristol as a Future City, as well as an outline on data platforms and Bristol’s plans for its year as European Green Capital 2015.
Members of the delegation, which included high-ranking planners and education chiefs, delivered a rundown on the Guangzhou International Innovation City, the higher education mega centre on Xiaoguwei Island in the Panyu district of Guangzhou.
The visit came hot on the heels on a high-powered business delegation from neighbouring Shenzhen to look at the commercial property and business opportunities in Bristol.
West of England China Bureau chief executive officer Dianne Francombe said the visit was designed to give both cities a greater understanding of each other’s educational, industrial and energy sectors.
Dianne Francombe said: “Once again the sheer size of the organisations we are dealing with is truly impressive and offers Bristol some great opportunities for mutual learning. The fact they are interested in visiting Bristol to listen to our civic leaders and planners is very encouraging.”
Mayor Ferguson added: “Our relationship with Guangzhou is one of great potential mutual benefit and I am delighted to welcome this important delegation to Bristol. When Mayor Chen and I signed our Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of Premier Li last year we opened the door for economic, academic and cultural trade between our great cities, and it’s good to see this turned into action.
“Guangzhou International Innovation City presents some tremendous opportunities for many Bristol industries, and today we’ve discussed the potential for joint construction, education or research projects; as well as what we can learn from each other in terms of creating healthy, liveable and innovative modern cities, a major theme of our year as European Green Capital.”
Guangzhou is at the centre of the Guangdong’s region’s industrialisation programme and is home to a modern service industry, as well as being a supercomputing centre.
Pictured: Mayor George Ferguson, centre, and Dianne Francombe, back row, far right, with the delegation from Guangzhou International Innovation City
