China’s Xuzhou City seeks friendly relations with Linden

Following a recent visit to China by Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland, leaders of the Xuzhou City Government have expressed an interest in creating a friendly exchange city relationship with the bauxite mining town.

A correspondence to the Linden Mayor and Town Council  (LM&TC) indicated that Xuzhou’s Vice Mayor, Bi Yurui; and Yao Cong, Head of the American and Asian section of Xuzhou Foreign Affairs Office, met with the Linden Mayor at a welcome banquet and were impressed with his presentation on the bauxite mining town.
As such, the leaders have expressed deep interest in establishing friendly relations and have since dispatched a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the LM&TC. They are presently awaiting response with suitable amendments from the municipality. The MoU has since been perused by Councillors within the LM&TC. Vice Director of Xuzhou Foreign Affairs, Sun Weimin, has reportedly indicated that  arrangements will be put in place to have an official signing ceremony in Guyana or in China, provided that the LM&TC responds with the amendments to the draft MoU.
According to Holland, the establishment of such friendly relations may see Linden benefiting in various areas, such as with annual training exchanges between municipal Councillors and youths, capacity building for staff and assistance with developmental projects within the town. He noted that the document which was received via email was left with the Council for amendment and ratification. However, the Mayor who is presently on vacation was unable to say if any action has been taken so far.
The LM&TC has embarked on a twinning initiative since last year which the Mayor noted is aimed at building friendly relations with cities around the world, as a means of building its capacity and receiving  much needed assistance as well as to attract much needed foreign investors to the town. (Utamu Belle)