On March 16, Maoming (China) and Willoughby (Australia) held a video conference to promote friendly exchanges. Wang Xiongfei, Mayor of Maoming, and Tanya Taylor, Mayor of Willoughby, attended the meeting and delivered remarks.
(Photo: Maoming Radio and Television)
Wang noted that Maoming is known as an oil city in southern China, a coastal green city, and the hometown of lychee and Chinese agarwood. It is one of the major cities in terms of population and agriculture in Guangdong. Wang added that Willoughby is one of the four major commercial centers of Sydney, with abundant educational resources and thriving distinctive industries such as advanced healthcare, trade services, culture and the arts, and technological innovation.
Since establishing a sister-city relationship in 2011, the two cities have maintained friendly exchanges and engaged in a variety of cooperative activities. Currently, China–Australia relations are showing positive momentum, creating favorable conditions and important opportunities for deepening cooperation between the sister cities. As China embarks on a new stage of development under the 15th Five-Year Plan, Maoming is accelerating efforts to develop major industries, build a modern city, and strengthen regional connectivity. The city strives to raise its total economic output to a new level of 500 billion yuan, opening up broad prospects for expanded cooperation between the two sides.
Wang hopes the two cities will deepen cooperation in areas such as trade, culture, tourism, education and healthcare. He also mentioned that this August, Maoming will host the 17th Guangdong Provincial Games. Mayor Tanya Taylor and friends from all sectors of Willoughby are warmly invited to visit Maoming for exchanges.
Tanya Taylor extended sincere greetings to Mayor Wang Xiongfei and the people of Maoming, expressing heartfelt thanks for his positive evaluation of Willoughby and the sister-city relationship.
Taylor said that Maoming and Willoughby have maintained their sister-city relationship for 15 years, and that this friendship is particularly valuable. Since last year, exchanges between the two sides have become even closer, creating new opportunities for shared development. Located adjacent to the central business district in Sydney, Willoughby is a modern urban area characterized by convenient transportation, cultural diversity, thriving commerce, and vibrancy.
She expressed hope that the video conference would serve as a new starting point for further strengthening exchanges and interactions, and for expanding cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, cultural tourism, and community development.
Author | Zhang Xuanzhen (intern), Huang Qini
