QUEENSLAND AND SHANGHAI STRENGTHEN SISTER STATE AGREEMENT
Published Monday, 07 April, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Shanghai: Premier Anna Bligh has met with the Mayor of Shanghai, His Excellency Mr Han Zheng, to sign Queensland and Shanghai’s eighth sister state agreement.
Ms Bligh said Queensland had benefited greatly from its long association with Shanghai, and the latest agreement, covering 2008-2010, was a significant one.
“To begin with, the number eight is a lucky number for the Chinese and symbolises prosperity and good fortune,” Ms Bligh said.
“I trust good fortune will abound as this agreement covers a period of much activity, including the 20th anniversary of our Sister State relationship in 2009 and the Shanghai World Expo in 2010,” she said.
Ms Bligh said the previous three-year agreement had forged important research and student exchanges between the Queensland Brain Institute and the Institute of Neurosciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Queensland also welcomed a delegation from the Shanghai Creative Industries Centre to the 2007 China Media Centre Conference at the Queensland University of Technology.
The State Library of Queensland joined the prestigious Windows of Shanghai program, and a loans program between the two state libraries was established.
Ms Bligh said the sister state relationship, with its strong ties between governments, communities and private sector organisations, enabled Queenslanders to gain a greater understanding of Chinese culture.
“We’ve established many collaborative programs in the arts, education, the sciences, sports, public health and tourism,” Ms Bligh said.
“The reciprocal Queensland and Shanghai Cup language competitions, for instance, have enabled students from both states to develop enduring friendships, which will be highly beneficial to Queensland’s relationship with China in the future.”
Queensland is also strengthening its sporting ties with Shanghai.
In the lead up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Queensland Academy of Sport and the Shanghai Administration of Sports will sign an agreement in Brisbane later this month to facilitate exchanges of coaches, athletes and support staff.
“Sister state relations with Shanghai have opened the door for Queensland to benefit from significant business opportunities in the region,” Ms Bligh said.
“In 2007, for example, Queensland mandarin growers shipped 40 containers of fruit to Shanghai, generating more than $2 million in export dollars.
“China is my first stop on my first trade mission as Premier demonstrating the importance my government places on Queensland’s relationship with China,” Ms Bligh said.
Ms Bligh is on a 13 day trade mission to Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, Delhi and Mumbai.
7 April, 2008
Contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Ms Bligh said Queensland had benefited greatly from its long association with Shanghai, and the latest agreement, covering 2008-2010, was a significant one.
“To begin with, the number eight is a lucky number for the Chinese and symbolises prosperity and good fortune,” Ms Bligh said.
“I trust good fortune will abound as this agreement covers a period of much activity, including the 20th anniversary of our Sister State relationship in 2009 and the Shanghai World Expo in 2010,” she said.
Ms Bligh said the previous three-year agreement had forged important research and student exchanges between the Queensland Brain Institute and the Institute of Neurosciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Queensland also welcomed a delegation from the Shanghai Creative Industries Centre to the 2007 China Media Centre Conference at the Queensland University of Technology.
The State Library of Queensland joined the prestigious Windows of Shanghai program, and a loans program between the two state libraries was established.
Ms Bligh said the sister state relationship, with its strong ties between governments, communities and private sector organisations, enabled Queenslanders to gain a greater understanding of Chinese culture.
“We’ve established many collaborative programs in the arts, education, the sciences, sports, public health and tourism,” Ms Bligh said.
“The reciprocal Queensland and Shanghai Cup language competitions, for instance, have enabled students from both states to develop enduring friendships, which will be highly beneficial to Queensland’s relationship with China in the future.”
Queensland is also strengthening its sporting ties with Shanghai.
In the lead up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Queensland Academy of Sport and the Shanghai Administration of Sports will sign an agreement in Brisbane later this month to facilitate exchanges of coaches, athletes and support staff.
“Sister state relations with Shanghai have opened the door for Queensland to benefit from significant business opportunities in the region,” Ms Bligh said.
“In 2007, for example, Queensland mandarin growers shipped 40 containers of fruit to Shanghai, generating more than $2 million in export dollars.
“China is my first stop on my first trade mission as Premier demonstrating the importance my government places on Queensland’s relationship with China,” Ms Bligh said.
Ms Bligh is on a 13 day trade mission to Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, Delhi and Mumbai.
7 April, 2008
Contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500