10 Aug, 2016

Adelaide's relationship with China growing

Delegates have arrived in Qingdao, China, as part of Council’s latest outbound delegation, with the trip focusing on export opportunities and the exciting new relationship with Qingdao’s International Beer Festival.

As part of the Qingdao delegation, the City of Adelaide has provided funding to local artists to perform at the festival’s Royal Adelaide Club to help celebrate the 15 year anniversary of the Friendly/Sister City relationship between Adelaide and Qingdao..

The State Government has also contributed significant funds to the anniversary celebration at the festival, referred to as ‘Asia’s Oktoberfest’, being China’s largest beer festival.

The festival provides a significant platform to showcase Adelaide to Qingdao and promote the very best food, wine, culture and tourism experiences we offer.

During this delegation, South Australia will demonstrate how exporting our culture can be beneficial for the city and state by helping attract more Chinese visitors.

Council recently voted to back local performers and artists by providing up to $60,000 to support their performances at the Beer Festival, in partnership with the Adelaide Fringe.

The funds will be used to assist Adelaide's local performers to showcase and export the spirit of the Adelaide Fringe to China and build brand awareness of the City of Adelaide and the Adelaide Fringe. Local performers include Time in Space Circus, Adam Page and Samuel McMahon.

Councillor David Slama led the push for securing funds to support the program, and has been a strong advocate for strengthening Sister City relationships – especially with Qingdao.

“We have a great story to tell about Council working hard to help the City of Adelaide secure export opportunities – the arts included,” said David.

"Arts diplomacy is a powerful way to build and grow bilateral trade platforms.

“With the support of the City of Adelaide, Qingdao taking more interest in Adelaide and, in particular, our fantastic annual Fringe Festival, I’m hoping even more international visitors will attend in future.

"I’m dedicated to working with the Fringe to increase international inbound tourism numbers. This means more tourists spending money in our city, filling restaurants, hotel rooms and shopping precincts. It’s all about job creation and internationalising Adelaide.”

Adelaide Fringe Director Heather Croall welcomed the funding, saying that the arts organisation had identified China as one of its international targets to grow visitor numbers.

“This activation in Qingdao is shining a spotlight on Adelaide Fringe and our great city as a perfect summer holiday destination, while also giving Fringe artists invaluable international exposure,” said Heather.

Commemorative Rose Garden

The latest outbound delegation coincides with Council supporting the construction of a Commemorative Chinese Rose Garden in Veale Gardens.

In January, Council supported giving detailed consideration to establishing a commemorative Rose Garden in the Park Lands in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the City of Adelaide and Qingdao sister city relationship, and 30th anniversary of the SA-Shandong relationship.

The Rose Garden will feature roses of Chinese heritage, while maintaining existing specimens which have thrived. The possibility of complementing the character and purpose of the garden with a suitable Chinese statue is also being explored.

Matt Halliwell