Economic Partnership with China

Our relationship with the Chinese province of Zhejiang took a big step forward last week.

The biggest Chinese delegation to visit Wellington signed an economic partnership agreement with the region's mayors.

Zhejiang Governor Mr Xia Baolong led the 180-strong delegation. Zhejiang, on China's southeast coast, has a population of 54 million and an economy the size of Sweden's.

Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett, Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace and Kapiti Mayor Jenny Rowan signed the agreement.

"With a GDP of over $US495 billion, Zhejiang is one of the most prosperous provinces in China," says Mayor Wade-Brown.

"The strategic economic partnership aims to increase opportunities for trade, study and mutual understanding of our cities. It will also increase exchanges between the regions."