NT, Shenzhen deepen ties in education and tourism

Michael Gunner

Micheal Gunner, chief minister of Australia’s Northern Territory (NT), said he hopes Shenzhen and NT will move toward a closer and stronger partnership.

Gunner is leading a 110-strong delegation to Shenzhen on Thursday as part of NT’s Reaching South to the Territory trade and investment promotion.

Gunner told reporters that one of his expectations for this visit is to further deepen bilateral cooperation in tourism and education with Shenzhen. On Thursday morning, Gunner witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on student exchanges with the Shenzhen Municipal Education Bureau.

According to Gunner, the number of Chinese tourists to NT has witnessed a notable increase since the direct flight route from Shenzhen to Darwin, the capital city of NT, was officially opened by Donghai Airlines last year.

“The number of Chinese tourists to the Northern Territory is increasing by 3 percent every year, and we forecast the growth rate will reach 6 percent in the future,” Gunner said.

The five-and-a-half-hour flight between Shenzhen and Darwin is the shortest between mainland Australia and China.

“We are the closest Australian capital city to Asia and a gateway into Australia’s abundant markets and resources. Darwin is also the closest Australian port to China, providing reduced shipping times and an efficient connection between our two markets,” Gunner said.

Gunner also anticipates closer economic and trade ties between the two sides, especially investment in NT’s oil and gas industry. He cited the example of the Port of Darwin, which the NT government announced in 2015 it would lease to the Chinese company Landbridge Group for 99 years.

Inspired by Shenzhen’s development, Gunner said NT is willing to learn from Shenzhen and follow the city’s footsteps. “The story of Shenzhen is remarkable,” he said, marveling at what the city has achieved in 40 years.

Hosted by the Northern Territory Government with support from the Darwin Major Business Group and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shenzhen Subcouncil (CCPIT Shenzhen), Reaching South to the Territory was first held in Shenzhen in August 2018 and provides an opportunity to strengthen important business relationships between China and the Northern Territory.

The event brings together officials from the Northern Territory and China to discuss trade, investment, education and tourism opportunities.