Cooperation between Guangzhou and Auckland is branching out into new areas: Phil Goff

The photo shows Phil Goff, Mayor of Auckland. [Photo\Zhong Ruijun, Weng Sicheng (intern) Nanfang Metropolis Daily]

2017-November-21       Source: Newsgd.com

When asked about his favorite Cantonese food, Phil Goff, Mayor of Auckland, said the word “seafood” without any hesitation, like most locals in Guangzhou would do.

Wrapping up his trip to the Tripartite Economic Guangzhou Summit, Phil Goff, Mayor of Auckland, said he had witnessed massive changes in the relations between China and New Zealand, and now, between Guangzhou and Auckland.

As Minister of Trade in 2008, Phil Goff led the negotiations and signed the Free Trade Agreement between China and New Zealand. Then he saw the Belt and Road Initiative get underway and the Tripartite Alliance formed between Guangzhou, Auckland and Los Angeles. For him, these bilateral relations are vivid, multi-dimensional and down-to-earth.

“Guangdong and Guangzhou are natural places for us to build relationships. We have a long history of connection and a lot in common...”

Phil Goff said that the Tripartite Alliance has been particularly successful in tightening ties between Guangzhou, Auckland and Los Angeles. The three cities are the gateways to the South China, Oceania and West Coast US markets.

Having just concluded this year’s Tripartite Summit attracted over 500 enterprise representatives from the three cities. “We brought about 120 business delegates. This is the biggest ever business delegation that has ever left Auckland,” said Goff.

Phif Goff said Guangzhou was attractive due primarily to its vibrant business environment. “With a population of 14 million, Guangzhou is a huge market for Auckland,” he said, “besides, Guangdong and Guangzhou were ‘natural places’ for New Zealand and Auckland to develop relationships because we have a long history of connection.”

The first Chinese migrants to New Zealand came from Guangdong 170 years ago. Phil Goff said nearly half of his delegation were of Chinese origin or even Cantonese origin. These delegates provided great assistance to other members, explaining how things work here and helping to develop connections.

Furthermore, Phil Goff praised Guangdong and Guangzhou for the entrepreneurship and outward-looking mindset. And he singled out two enterprises, Huawei and China Southern Airlines, saying that they have made the biggest investment in New Zealand.

“I’ve seen China Southern grow from a small airline to the fourth largest airline in the world,” said Goff, “I flew here on China Southern and I’m flying back late tonight by the same airline. They are bringing people all the way from Japan, India and Europe.”

Guangzhou-based China Southern Airlines now has two routes connecting Guangzhou with Auckland and Christchurch. According to Phil Goff, the number of tourists from China has reached 450 thousand this year, 25 percent of which flew over on China Southern.

“Guangzhou and Auckland have been sister cities for 38 years. And our sister relationship with Guangzhou is the deepest and most important of our relationships with any city in China,” said Goff.

“Cooperation between Guangzhou and Auckland is growing into a wide spectrum of areas.”

Wen Guohui, Mayor of Guangzhou (M), Phil Goff, Mayor of Auckland (L) and Jeff Gorell, Vice Mayor of Los Angeles (R) signed another MOU to further cooperation at the summit, showcasing the tripartite “brotherhood”. [Photo provided to Newsgd.com]

The first and most important MoU that Phil Goff signed during the summit was to renew the tripartite alliance. Under this MoU, agreements were signed in a wide range of sectors.

“Trade of food and beverages is a traditional but always important area. We have some delegates dealing in areas like infant formulas and honey,” Goff, stated, “but now cooperation is branching out into new areas, such as, film screening and urban planning.”

This year’s tripartite summit is divided into nine major sub-forums, including innovation and entrepreneurship, tourism, digital and creative fields, education and etc.

Phil Goff introduced successes in the field of urban planning and development. “The three cities are facing similar challenges, providing the infrastructure and enough houses to match the rapid growth in our population. And we’re now tackling these problems together.”

And in just a short space of time, Goff said there had been much that he had learned from Guangzhou. “Auckland is planning to develop a light rail system. Yesterday I had the chance to visit the traffic control system that manages traffic flow around Guangzhou and travel on the Haizhu light rail line. I think it’s great to look at good existing models around the world.”

Phil Goff, Mayor of Auckland (R3), witnesses the signing of an MoU between GZPI and University of Auckland. [Photo\Newsgd.com]

In addition, Goff also had a meeting with different local companies, talking about electric vehicles, shared bikes and the adoption of big data. “We’re also about to have two brilliant designers over from Guangzhou to work with our urban planning companies in Auckland, having talent exchange helps to solve real problems of our cities.”

Finally, Goff said he thought Guangzhou and Auckland were building on the past foundation of the FTA to broaden and deepen connections. “With the tripartite alliance, I predict our commercial, cultural and people to people relationships will all become stronger because of our history and what we are able to do today.”

Author: Jasmine Yin

Editor: Simon Haywood & Olivia Yang