For the first time since 2014 a Council-led delegation will journey to Japanese sister city, Miura.
The delegation will continue on to visit Chinese sister city Changchun, which will be Council’s first visit since 2018.
“This has been a while in the planning and we are really looking forward to these visits,” Warrnambool Mayor Cr Blain said.
“In the years since we visited Changchun and Miura we have hosted a number of delegations and we now have an opportunity to visit, renew relationships and see how Miura and Changchun have changed.
The Mayor recently met Japan’s Melbourne Consul-General Foruya Tokuro, who was excited about the trip and had spoken to Miura officials.
“Our sister city status with Miura was formally established in 1992,” Cr Blain said.
“It’s a relationship that centres around education and cultural exchange, with a number of Warrnambool residents having enjoyed cultural exchanges through study or employment.
“Our relationship with Changchun was formalised in 2012 and has a focus on culture and economic development.”
Accompanying Cr Blain will be Council Chief Executive Officer Andrew Mason, Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism General Manager Liz Price, Corangamite Shire’s Manager Economy and Prosperity Katy McMahon while Warrnambool hospitality operator Jon Watson will be part of the Miura visit.
Miura is a coastal city, 50km south of Tokyo. It has a population of about 39,000 and is sustained by the fishing and tourism industries.
The delegation will also meet representatives of the Victorian Government’s “Global Victoria” initiative in Tokyo.
Changchun is situated in China’s north-east. The city’s urban population is more than 6 million The average summer temperature is 22.3 degrees while the average winter temperature is a chilly -15.7 degrees.
Changchun is a manufacturing centre and is home to factories which produce cars for brands including Volkswagen and Audi.
The delegation will also visit Shanghai and Beijing.
“Global Victoria has a strong presence in China and we’ll see first-hand what opportunities exist for Warrnambool and South West businesses,” Cr Blain said.
“Victoria is Australia’s largest supplier of food and fibre products to China and the South West is a major food and fibre producing area.
“We also plan to visit Vic House, a showroom and event space where producers can display Victorian goods and connect with Chinese buyers.”
Note: Cr Blain and Mr Mason are paying for their own flights and intercity train travel.
