UCLG ASPAC celebrated the month of September by serial visits to the Great Wall country, China. Blessed by 7,6% GDP growth for the first half of 2013, China offers multiple economic development ‘patrons’ that are crucial for developing countries in the region.
Therefore, our organization’s serial visits (represented by the President, New Secretary General, and Ambassador Peter Woods) have some meaningful missions.
Our Ambassador Woods was attending a Sister Cities Conference under the auspices of the City of Changchun and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC). Several important Ambassadors to China were present to witness the socio-economic importance given to such events in this country of more than 1,354 billion people. Changchun itself is located at Northern China and performing good progress as it develops its economy.
Following Changchun visit, UCLG ASPAC representatives participated in the Cities Urban Infrastructure Forum in Chongqing – a City in Western China of some 30,000,000 people and supported by the National Government as an important economic and logistical growth area. Speakers from abroad and throughout China were joined by our President, Dr. Jatin Modi, New Secretary General Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi and Ambassador Peter Woods who attended and ensured that UCLG ASPAC’s voice was heard. This Forum wass the first of others and has been largely sponsored by the private sector and involved 150 specially selected participants to build upon the public-private opportunities for development. The next Forum will be in Mumbai in early 2014 and will encourage the involvement of Indian and Chinese Local Governments and investors.
Dr. Bernadia and Ambassador Woods then travelled to Wuhan for a meeting with the Vice Mayor of Wuhan Municipal Government, Ms. Liu Yingzi, and Senior officials to discuss their further involvement in UCLG ASPAC and to discuss their Conference on City Development to be held in November. Both were invited to attend as speakers by the Mayor of Wuhan, a city of more than 10,000,000 people.
Chongqing and Wuhan are positioned at the mighty Yangztse River and this journey provided UCLG ASPAC representatives with a great opportunity to witness the huge progress that China has made and continues to make in its development path. The river is strategically used for commerce and tourism and associated engineering structures provide flood mitigation and energy generation and irrigation opportunities.
The Secretary General was asked to provide some suggestions for speakers and participants at the Wuhan conference to be held between the 20th and 22nd of November which is the week before the UCLG ASPAC Executive Bureau meeting in Colombo.
