Canterbury Development Corporation Ltd (CDC)

Wuhan Sister City Relationship

Former Mayor Garry Moore signed an agreement with Wuhan in 1999 to forge an international relationship based on a match between research capabilities and business sectors.

Hubei province is about the size of France and the capital city, Wuhan, is recognised as one of the three knowledge capitals of China. Its strengths in computer science, opto-electronics, agricultural sciences, nanotechnology, biosciences and Antarctic science are a good fit with Christchurch’s research and industry. Its location means Wuhan city is an entry point to central China – a huge and relatively untapped market for New Zealand goods and partnerships.

It’s highly expensive and challenging for individual companies, universities and others to go it alone into China. CDC’s role includes smoothing the pathway through the complexities of working with the fast-emerging Chinese economy identifying the appropriate channels, managing risk relationship, providing intensive market knowledge and promoting systemic city partnerships.

The relationship really got off the ground in 2004 when a Christchurch representative delegation met Wuhan authorities, educational and research institutions and businesses.

Since then the Christchurch City Council has substantially changed its international relations’ policy to better accommodate and support relationships driven by economic development and trade outcomes.

CDC played a lead role in delivering the new policy direction based on a targeted programme, using Wuhan, China as the pilot partner city. CDC has taken two three delegations to Wuhan and employed Eugene Feng as a full-time Wuhan project manager.

Eugene can assist businesses looking to develop sustainable relationships with credible Chinese businesses.

We can assist companies looking to source parts, partnerships or markets in China. Our industry connections mean we can do some vetting of potential partners/suppliers, we can assist with setting up meetings with the right people, and we can advise about the processes of doing business in China.

CDC initiates and supports University of Canterbury Chinese projects

Canterbury Development Corporation has been working with Chinese stakeholders to set up partnerships with the University of Canterbury.

Some stories from the partnerships:

Linkage between UC and China Scholarship Council
UC partnership with prestigious Wuhan school

Wuhan students meet UC Vice-Chancellor

Photo info: Wuhan students studying at UC (from left) Jingyi Luo (Ava), Zexi Tian (TJ), Yuxuan Peng (Alex), Benyao Li (Richard), Lu Lu, UC Vice-Chancellor Dr Rod Carr, Zeyu Zhou (Jack), Yi Zheng (Fiona), Yu Ye (Susan) and Hui Liu (Nicolas). Photo: University of Canterbury.

New Zealand has a lot to learn from China, University of Canterbury Vice-Chancellor Dr Rod Carr told a group of students from Wuhan, China, at an informal chat this week.
The Vice-Chancellor met with eight students who came from Wuhan No. 1 Middle School to undertake study at UC. Five of the students had recently graduated from a special fast-track 13-week foundation studies programme specifically offered for students from No. 1 Middle School and had just begun their undergraduate studies; two were a year into their undergraduate studies, but had likewise come through bridging programmes; and one student had just begun her foundation studies course.
The meeting was initiated by engineering scholarship student Zeyu Zhou, who spoke at the recent Bridging Programmes Graduation on behalf of his fellow Wuhan students.
While Dr Carr donned his robes to make for a better photo opportunity the meeting was a relaxed affair and students talked a little about themselves and what they were each studying and had a chance to put questions to the Vice-Chancellor.
Chatting to the students, Dr Carr said he too was a foreign student for some of his time at University but explained that was in America and therefore he had an easier road being in an English-speaking country with a western culture.
“I have great respect for all students who study abroad but even greater for those who do it in a different culture and study in a different language,” he said.
“I know your time at University will have its challenges but I know you’ll rise to them.”
Dr Carr stressed the importance of interacting with students from all cultures during their time at UC, saying it was a “two-way street” and as well as gaining a lot themselves the Chinese students could have a big impact on Kiwi students’ understanding of China.
“New Zealand has a lot to learn about China. We are not well informed. You can help us both as an institution, as a University, and our students.”
He said he welcomed their feedback which would be important in terms of the University’s understanding of how to create a better experience for international students.

The No.1 Middle School is attached to Central China Normal University in Wuhan and is the top school in central China and one of the top six in the country. The University of Canterbury has had a relationship with the school since October 2005 when Canterbury Development Corporation and UC representatives first visited the school. Scholarships were established in 2007 as a way of encouraging top students from Wuhan No.1 Middle School to enter a special Foundation Studies programme and then undertake undergraduate degrees at UC.