For the first time, Henry Michallat, Lord Mayor of Bristol, has led a delegation to Guangzhou, marking the 25th anniversary of the sister city relationship between the two cities. The milestone reflects a partnership that has quietly deepened over a quarter-century, bridging the west of England and China's Greater Bay Area.
When asked what he would recommend to friends in China, Michallat pointed to landmarks that speak to Bristol's long history. "Bristol is a very historic city, like the role of lord mayor, which dates back to over 800 years," he said. He cited the Clifton Suspension Bridge—"a very, very famous bridge in the UK and indeed the world"—and the SS Great Britain, which upon its launch in the mid-19th century was the largest steamship afloat.
Yet Bristol's character is not confined to its past. The city is also home to a vibrant street art scene. As Zoe Gibbons, International Twinning Officer of Bristol City, put it: "You can see murals and art on the buildings everywhere." The observation is hardly an exaggeration—from narrow alleyways to underpasses and bridges, the city's walls double as an open-air gallery.
The delegation arrived bearing a thoughtful gift: a figurine of Shaun the Sheep, the animated character created by Aardman, the Bristol-based studio that celebrates its 50th anniversary this June. "It connects to Guangzhou because Guangzhou has the origin story of the ram," Gibbons noted. "So we thought it was a very good gift."
In return, the visitors received a dolphin figurine—a cultural emblem of Guangdong Province. It will soon find a home in Bristol's city hall display cabinet, a small but visible reminder of the ties between the two cities.
Coincidentally, the dolphin has taken on a new identity of late. The mascots for China's 15th National Games—two Chinese white dolphins named Xiyangyang and Lerongrong—have picked up a surprising nickname online. Many internet users now fondly call them "Greater Bay Chicken," a playful nod to Guangdong's celebrated chicken dishes. The name has gained traction across social media, turning the pair into beloved stickers and memes, especially in Guangzhou.
For souvenirs, Michallat said he would likely bring back a Guangzhou mascot and perhaps "some traditional Chinese or Cantonese sweets." Gibbons had already planned her haul: for one daughter, a chicken dolphin toy tucked inside a lion dance hat; for another, a piece of Canton Tower jewelry; and for herself, a kapok flower—a quiet keepsake of a journey across continents.
Reporter: Guo Zedong
Photo, Video & Cover: Guo Hongda
