New Zealand university city grows relationship with Qingdao

WELLINGTON - One of New Zealand's major technology and education powerhouses is consolidating its city links with China's eastern seaboard.

A high-level delegation from the city of Qingdao, in Shandong province, will arrive in the South Island's second city of Dunedin on Tuesday to sign a formal Friendship City Agreement.

The six-person delegation led by Qingdao Vice-Mayor Wang Guangzheng would include Municipal Bureau of Education Vice Director-General Li Min, said a statement from the Dunedin City Council on Monday.

Li would meet with officials from the Dunedin-based University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic with a view to establishing relationships with Qingdao University and China Ocean University.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull said in the statement that the agreement would further strengthen the growing relationship between the two cities.

The relationship had started to flourish following links made with Fisher & Paykel's new owner, the Haier Group, Cull said, referring to the Chinese whiteware giant's takeover of the iconic New Zealand appliance maker in 2012.

"We are now looking at collaboration in the education, tourism and business sectors. The Friendship City Agreement is an important step in further developing the relationship," he said.

In August last year, Dunedin and Shanghai celebrated the 20th anniversary of their sister city relationship, which Dunedin officials have credited with giving their city a much-needed economic boost.