A Strategic and Economic Relationship with Chinese Mega City Xi’an


The Lord Mayor is visiting China at the invitation of the Premier Lara Giddings who is undertaking an Asian Trade Mission.

“On our first day in Shanghai we met with the Vice Mayor of Shanghai Pudong, responsible for international relations, to continue discussions initiated during our previous visit last year surrounding the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.” said the Lord Mayor.

“We will continue discussions between the two cities principally in the areas of education, arts, and culture. As part of those discussions we will also push the wider brief of Antarctic and other important areas that Tasmania has to offer.”

“Shanghai Pudong is seen as a long term strategic interest for the city of Hobart because of its significance with the Chinese Antarctic Program. Shanghai Pudong is an important scientific component of their Antarctic Program.”

“Whilst in Shanghai, we also attended the launch of the Tasmanian office within the Shanghai Austrade office before flying on to the Chinese city of Xi’an to hold discussions on the potential of an ongoing city to city relationship.”

As the ancient capital in Shaanxi province in Central China, Xi’an is home to the famous ‘Terracotta Warriors’. With a population of more than eight and a half million people this city has been identified as one of the 13 emerging Chinese mega cities. Major industries include manufacturing, tourism and service outsourcing.

Alderman Thomas said education has a major presence in Xi’an with 32 individual universities offering a full- time Bachelor degree or higher. The city is also home to the Xi’an Aerospace Science and Technology Industrial Base which is part of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

Xi’an approached Hobart specifically with a city to city relationship in mind. Premier Lara Giddings accompanied the Lord Mayor in support of the City of Hobart. “It is our belief that because of its scale, it may well provide opportunities to Hobart and Tasmania”, said Lord Mayor Thomas. “With our City gaining wide scale recognition, Hobartians are becoming more passionate about their city and with very good reason.”  

“When we have our first international aircraft arrive at Hobart International airport, it will raise the status of the city, raise investment potential with the increasing number of visitors and potential residents, along with people involved with research and development. Tourism, education and investment will also increase. This will have the effect of increasing population which will lower the rates for everyone overall because more people will be paying rates.

The City of Hobart is seeking these key City to City relationships because of the economic benefit that could flow through to our community. This is underpinned by both the Australian and Tasmanian Governments white papers around the Asian Century and this is Council’s contribution in support of both governments,” Alderman Thomas said.

“In Xi’an we have been holding a series of meetings to discuss what the opportunities are between the cities and part of our delegation includes representatives of the Hobart Chamber of Commerce.”

“The recent funding of $100,000 to the Chamber over three years from Austrade and a matching component from the City of Hobart will support the Chamber to seek business opportunities and relationships in China and the Republic of Korea. There is a growing level of confidence that the City of Hobart and the Hobart Chamber of Commerce will work closely to build key strategic business and city relationships internationally.”

“I am pleased that the Hobart Chamber of Commerce has nominated Alderman Sue Hickey as its representative for this delegation.”

Following the visit to China the Lord Mayor will fly to the Republic of Korea to visit the harbour city of Pohang, where he will explore the opportunity of a strategic relationship with Hobart. Pohang was suggested by the Korean Embassy in Australia as being a possible match for Hobart because of its science and research base.

“We’re not looking for the traditional Sister City status, more around relationships with cities having an economic benefit for both the City of Hobart and the State generally,” Alderman Thomas said.

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