In 1994, Kunshan and Palmerston North (or “Palmy” for short) signed an Agreement on Friendly Communication and Cooperation, officially establishing friendly ties. Since then, the two cities have maintained close communication and deepened exchanges in the fields of economy, trade and culture, actively promoting mutual benefits and win-win outcomes.

   The Chinese often say, “Distance cannot separate true friends who remain close even when thousands of miles apart.” On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the friendship between Kunshan and Palmerston North, the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding Enhancing Friendship City Relationship was held in Kunshan on Jan 25th. Zhou Wei, Member of the Standing Committee of CPC Suzhou Municipal Committee and Secretary of CPC Kunshan Municipal Committee, and Ardi Barnard, Consul General of New Zealand in Shanghai, witnessed the signing. According to the memorandum, the two cities agreed to continue promoting exchanges and cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, science and technology, education, commerce, innovation, city engineering, tourism and sustainable development based on the 30 years of friendship, and upgrade the relationship to sister cities at an appropriate time.