The Beijing relationship is important as it links Wellington to the capital city of one of the world's biggest economies.
Situated in north-east China, Beijing is the world's most populous national capital city and is China's second largest city after Shanghai. With a population of over 21 million, it is the cultural, political and intellectual hub of the country.
This history of Beijing can be traced back to over 3,000 years and is a city rich in history but also truly modern, as demonstrated by its influence in business and economy, education, history, culture, innovation, and technology.
How the relationship began
In 1994 Deng Lin, the daughter of Chinese President Deng Xiaoping, visited Wellington and 'fell in love’ with the city.
The Assistant to the Mayor of Beijing, Mr Zheng Yijun visited Wellington in November 1994. The visit was followed by a reciprocal visit to Beijing by David Watt, Wellington's deputy mayor at the time. A friendly city relationship was set up in 1994.
Based on increased interaction between Wellington and Beijing, the cities agreed to become sister cities. During the Sister Cities New Zealand 25th Anniversary Conference in May 2006, this relationship was formalised. Kerry Prendergast, then Mayor of Wellington, and the Deputy Mayor of Beijing, Mr Sun Anmin, signed an official Wellington-Beijing Sister Cities agreement on 10 May 2006.
Highlights
Wellington shares very active links to Beijing including:
- visits by civic and business delegations
- mayoral visits
- teacher training exchanges
- cultural festivals
- exchanges dealing with earthquake technology
- local government training in Wellington for officials from Beijing.