Education, economic development and culture were among the topics covered during a recent delegation to China.
Mayor Wayne Wright, councillors Bill Harper, Jaimie McEvoy and Lorrie Williams, and city legislative services director Rick Page visited five cities during a November business trip to China. A staff report estimated the cost of the trip would be $12,400, which will come out of an international fund established by the city in 2003.
The trip included discussions about the China House proposal, which would create an international meeting place in New Westminster. China House is proposed to include meeting rooms, a small showroom and a boutique hotel that visitors could use when doing business in Greater Vancouver.
Wright told The Record that New Westminster received a pledge from the mayor of Lijiang that his city wants to be involved with China House.
"Now we have to put our plans together," he added. "They are waiting to see it."
According to Wright, meetings will be set up in 2013 to further explore the China House concept.
During the trip, city officials met with representatives in New Westminster's sister and friendship cities to discuss business opportunities, which could include the establishment of warehousing facilities for stone rock materials coming from ship from Yunfu for North American markets, and a retail outlet for Chinese companies wanting to showcase their stainless steel.
"Everything fits together," Wright said, noting those people are also interested in the China House concept. "It's quite a substantial plan."
Wright noted that officials also talked with education representatives about various educational initiatives involving high school, college and police students.
