THE Consul General of China was welcomed to Wollongong at a special reception today.

China’s Consul General Duan Jielong visited Illawarra to meet with the Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery, councillors and council staff.

During Mr Jielong’s visit he will also visited the University of Wollongong and Nan Tien Buddhist Temple in Unanderra.

The Consul General will be accompanied by three Consuls.

“This brief visit by the Consul General from our largest trading partner and one of the fastest growing group of citizens in Australia is a time to speak about our close relations and establish further ties with China’s Consul General,” Cr Bradbery said.

“Wollongong currently hosts thousands of students from China who undertake courses at the University of Wollongong. And we are a major drawcard for the 500,000 Chinese tourists who visit our country each year. We also have ties with our Friendship City, Longyan in Fujian province, China.”

China has recently overtaken New Zealand to be our second most important international market behind the UK. We have 20,000 visitors to our city from China each year.  Visitors are coming from the major centres of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and now from major cities such as Chengdu and Chongqing.

“It is welcoming and a great opportunity to speak with the Consul General about close relations and also business ties between our city and China.

“I welcome the Consul General and I hope that Mr Jielong will gain a harmonious perspective of Wollongong following his visit.”