Sister City Shanghai

Although on the surface, Shanghai had little in common with Dunedin, the DCC considered that a formal link with China could provide significant economic opportunities that, without a personal basis of understanding, would otherwise not be presented. The relationship also recognises the strong influence of Chinese on Otago history, and the involvement of the local Chinese population has been an important factor in developing the relationship.

The sister city agreement was recently re-signed in a ceremony held on Monday 16 September 2008 in Dunedin between the Mayor of Dunedin, Peter Chin and Mr. Liu Yungeng, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress. Mr. Liu is a very senior official and ranks next to the Mayor of Shanghai.

The Dunedin Shanghai sister-city relationship was an important factor that enabled the Dunedin Chinese Gardens Trust to develop its relationship with the Shanghai Museum and the Shanghai Construction Decoration Co. Ltd (the Chinese contractor used by the Trust to construct the Garden).

The Dunedin Shanghai Association

It is not surprising with the number of Chinese residents in Dunedin, that a committee of interested citizens was formed soon after the sister city relationship was formalised. The Dunedin Shanghai Association’s (DSA) mission statement is:

"To promote and facilitate good relations between Shanghai and Dunedin for the benefit of the Dunedin business and wider Dunedin community, and our Shanghainese counterparts."

The Association plays a key role in introducing and facilitating links between Dunedin groups and their Shanghai counterparts as well as hosting and facilitating a wide range of visitors and delegations from Shanghai. This role is reciprocated by the City of Shanghai in terms of visits to Shanghai by Dunedin delegations.

The DSA has sub-committees that focus on key areas of importance for our two cities – business, cultural, education and sports.

It is an incorporated society with the Mayor of Dunedin as its patron. Current membership for the first year is free and should you wish to enquire further please contact the secretary at enquiry@dunedinshanghai.com.