Shanghai delegation visits Irish sister city of Cork

SHANGHAI Mayor Ying Yong and his delegation were received by Lord Mayor Tony Fitzgerald of Cork when they visited the second largest city of Ireland from July 6 to 9.

Ying told his host that Shanghai and Cork enjoy strong ties and expanding cooperation since they became the first pair of sister cities for China and Ireland.

He said Cork is the shipping center of Ireland. Shanghai and Cork are complementary in shipping business and have great potential for further cooperation.

The mayor said Shanghai is pushing for the development of its pilot free trade zone and tries to be a springboard for Chinese investors to go abroad in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Ying said Shanghai and Cork can use the FTZ as a platform to help their enterprises do business in each other’s cities for win-win outcomes.

Fitzgerald said Shanghai is a key partner of Cork. The two cities have a sound foundation for cooperation. He is looking forward to closer ties between the cities and their peoples.

The two mayors renewed the cooperation agreement between the two cities for the next five years.

The Shanghai delegation also visited the Irish Skills Organization and Shannon Free Zone, which is the world’s first free trade zone and is adjacent to Shannon Airport.

Chinese Ambassador to Ireland Yue Xiaoyong and Irish Consul General in Shanghai Therese Healy were present at the meeting.