COUNCIL REPORT Agenda Item 7.1

26 August 2008 POST TRAVEL REPORT: LORD TRAVEL TO , (CHINA), DELHI (INDIA) AND OSAKA (JAPAN) 28 MAY – 6 JUNE 2008

Report by Lord Mayor, John So

Purpose

1. To report to the Council on the travel undertaken by the Lord Mayor to Tianjin, Beijing, Delhi and Osaka for the period 28 May – 6 June 2008.

Recommendation

2. That Council note this report on the travel undertaken by the Lord Mayor to Tianjin, Beijing, Delhi and Osaka for the period 28 May – 6 June 2008 and the attached summary of benefits and outcomes.

Background

3. On 29 April 2008, the Council approved the proposal for Lord Mayor John So to travel to Tianjin, Beijing, Delhi and Osaka for the period 28 May - 6 June, 2008 to:

3.1 travel to Tianjin and Beijing (28 May – 1 June 2008) to lead a Melbourne delegation as part of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Melbourne Office Tianjin (MOTJ); to be a panel member at the Asia Society’s 18th Asian Corporate Conference; and to undertake meetings with high-level government and business officials;

3.2 travel to Delhi (2 -3 June 2008) to formalise the Strategic Alliance Agreement with the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT of Delhi); and

3.3 travel to Osaka (4 – 6 June 2008) to meet the new Mayor of Osaka and participate in activities associated with the 30th anniversary of the Melbourne-Osaka sister city agreement and Melbourne’s membership of the Business Partnership Cities network.

4. The Lord Mayor was accompanied by Mr Kevin Louey, Chief of Staff and Mr Scott Chapman, Director of Commerce and Marketing Division. Councillor Fiona Snedden, Chair of the Business and International Relations Committee, also participated in the China component of the program.

Key Issues

Details of Travel

5. The Lord Mayor led a business delegation to China, with 20 delegates from 16 different Melbourne based organisations joining the mission. They included representatives from Archi-Tektonic, Chinese Association for Biomedical Sciences, Baker Heart Research Institute, Carrick Institute of Education, City of Greater Geelong, Denton Corker Marshall, La Trobe University, Nucleus Network, OTEK Australia, Professional Solutions Australia, RMIT University, Melbourne University, Tianjin – Melbourne Students Association, University College, Victoria University and Vicland Corporation. 6. The travelling party to Delhi consisted of the Lord Mayor, Mr Kevin Louey and Mr Scott Chapman. They were joined by Mr D R Kaarthikeyan, the official representative of City of Melbourne in Delhi, and Mr Harish Rao, National Vice Chair, Australia India Business Council and President Australia India Business Council (Victoria).

7. The travelling party to Osaka consisted of the Lord Mayor, Mr Kevin Louey and Mr Scott Chapman.

8. Attachments to this report include a summary of outcomes and benefits arising from the travel (Attachment 1), itinerary and meeting program (Attachment 2) and selection of media clippings from Delhi (Attachment 3).

Councillor Travel Guidelines

9. The Chief Executive Officer has confirmed that the travel undertaken does accord with all the requirements of the Councillor Travel Guidelines.

Cost

10. Travel costs incurred by the City of Melbourne from the Lord Mayor’s travel to Tianjin, Beijing, Delhi and Osaka were $19,005.78 which included airfare $14,625.81, accommodation costs $2,804.98 and day to day incidental expenses $1,574.99.

Attachments: 1. Outcomes and Benefits 2. Itinerary 3. Media clippings - Delhi 2 Attachment 1 Agenda Item 7.1 Council 26 August 2008

POST TRAVEL REPORT: LORD MAYOR TRAVEL TO TIANJIN, BEIJING (CHINA), DELHI (INDIA) AND OSAKA (JAPAN)

28 MAY – 6 JUNE 2008

OUTCOMES AND BENEFITS

Tianjin & Beijing

• The Lord Mayor led a business delegation to China. This was the largest City of Melbourne organised business delegation recorded with 20 participants representing 16 organizations.

• The Lord Mayor delivered remarks during a plenary session at the Asia Society’s 18th Asian Corporate Conference, in Tianjin, which was attended by over 1,000 participants from all over the world. Lord Mayor spoke on Melbourne’s capabilities in environmental sustainability and liveability industries, while also strengthening Melbourne’s global positioning as a leading business, cultural and visitor destination for the region. Other panellists speaking at this high-level event included Sheila Dixit, Chief Minister of Delhi, Grace Fu, Minister of State for National Development of Singapore, Huang Xingguo, Mayor of Tianjin, and Hamdan bin Rashd Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

• In Tianjin, the Lord Mayor hosted and attended a number of activities associated with the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Melbourne Office Tianjin (MOTJ), including the Melbourne-Tianjin Photographic Exhibition, MOTJ 10th Anniversary Gala lunch, and a courtesy call with the Mayor of Tianjin.

• The Lord Mayor participated in the ground breaking ceremony for the first Australian Rules Football (AFL) ground in Tianjin. The MOTJ has facilitated a joint initiative between the AFL and Tianjin Binhai Development Group to develop a community standard AFL football ground.

• The Lord Mayor conducted a media conference with a number of Tianjin local media including Tianjin TV, Tianjin Radio, Tianjin Evening Paper, City Express, Tianjin Binhai TV, Tianjin Daily, Tianjin Daily Update, Holiday 100 and Tianjin Economics Weekly. This resulted in an opportunity to promote the MOTJ and the 28-year Melbourne Tianjin sister city relationship.

• The Lord Mayor met with Mr Xuefeng, Vice Mayor of Tianjin; Mr Ren was the leader of Tianjin Government Leaders Group two. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Lord Mayor witnessed the signing of a number of co-operative agreements between business mission participants and Tianjin partners including:

o an education exchange Memorandum of Understanding between RMIT and Tianjin Normal University;

o a biomedical Memorandum of Understanding between and the Australia Chinese Association for Biomedical Sciences;

o an investment agreement between Tianjin Pharmaceutical Research Institute and Atholl Science and Technology Business Consulting;

o an agreement between the AFL and Tianjin Binhai Group; and

o a statement of understanding between the City of Melbourne and Tianjin TEDA Management Committee.

1 • The Lord Mayor made a courtesy call to Mr Gou Zhongwen, Vice Mayor of Beijing. Discussions focused on continued support and strengthening of exchanges and cooperation between Melbourne and Beijing. The meeting concluded with signing of a statement on greater cooperation between Invest Beijing and Commerce and Commerce and Marketing Division of the City of Melbourne.

• Lord Mayor met with His Excellency Dr Geoff Raby, Australian Ambassador to China in Beijing. The Lord Mayor outlined the City of Melbourne’s commitment to developing significant relationships with China and the achievements of the MOTJ. They discussed opportunities for Melbourne-based businesses leading up to the 2010 Asian Games and the World Expo 2010.

• The Lord Mayor delivered an address at Peking University at the 3rd International Students Sustainability and Urban Development Forum. The Lord Mayor presented on the sustainability and liveability of the City of Melbourne. Professor Tom Kvan, Dean of Faculty of Building, Planning and Architecture of Melbourne University (member of the business delegation) also presented at the forum. The Lord Mayor’s address attracted an audience of over 200 including international students, representatives of Peking University, Chinese government officials, and 20 and vice mayors from various Chinese cities who are undertaking training at Peking University.

• The Lord Mayor met with Mr Dai Xianglong, Chairman of National Council of Social Security Fund, to discuss opportunities in funds management for future cooperation between Melbourne and China. The fund currently has RMB165.986 billion in equity (from www.ssf.gov.cn). Mr Dai was appointed as Chairman in December 2007 after completing a 5-year term as the Mayor of Tianjin. He visited Melbourne in 2005 to join events to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Melbourne Tianjin sister city relationship.

Delhi

• The Lord Mayor signed, on behalf of Melbourne the Strategic City Alliance with Ms Shelia Dixshit, Chief Minister of NCT of Delhi. The agreement and its three year plan, will deliver the increased benefits of business and cultural ties with Delhi by raising the profile of the City of Melbourne. Ms Dixshit also requested to send a cultural performance team for the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2010.

• The Lord Mayor met with Ms Arti Mehra and discussed about problems facing the council in preparation of the city for the Commonwealth Games 2010, to be held in New Delhi,

• The Lord Mayor hosted a business forum with the Australia India Business Council/Confederation of Indian Industry with over 85 senior business representatives present.

• The Lord Mayor attended a briefing by the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games 2010 and also visited the venue for the games.

• The Lord Mayor’s met with representative of major Indian airlines (Jet Airways, Air India and Kingfisher) to promote Melbourne as the destination of choice for new direct flights between India and Australia. An increase in aviation capacity will benefit the Melbourne/Australian business community as given India is the fastest growing trade partner of Australia. Additional flights will also benefit international education, inbound leisure and ‘visiting friends and relatives’ tourism markets.

2 Osaka

• The Lord Mayor met Mayor Hiramutsu, Mayor of Osaka who was elected to his post in November 2007 for a four year term. The meeting focused on the importance of the sister city relationship celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2008 and the program to be undertaken by the Mayor and president of Osaka City Council during their visit to Melbourne in July 2008.

• The Lord Mayor and Mayor of Osaka planted a ginko tree at the Osaka Museum of History to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Melbourne-Osaka sister city relationship.

• The Lord Mayor visited the Osaka Museum of History and met with its Director Mr Wakita. The Museum has lent kimono and a wide range of other related objects (many of which had never travelled outside Japan) to the Immigration Museum (Melbourne) for Kimono – Osaka’s Golden Age exhibition. An excellent working relationship has been established between the Osaka Museum of History and the Immigration Museum (and more broadly Museum Victoria) through this project and it is anticipated this will lead to future collaborations.

• The Lord Mayor met with council members of the Business Partnership City Network, based at the Osaka Business Partner City Network Centre. The discussions focused on Melbourne’s support for the network and an invitation was extended to the City of Melbourne to attend the annual BPC Roundtable, to be hosted by Osaka in September 2008.

BENEFITS

The benefits arising from the travel undertaken by the Lord Mayor included;

Tianjin & Beijing

• Supporting the development of significant connections by the accompanying business delegation with future business and project partners. The MOTJ facilitated introductions and meetings with key government agencies, business and education sectors. Feedback from delegation members has indicated the introductions and meetings have opened doors that would not have been possible without the assistance of the MOTJ and the City of Melbourne which has the potential to develop future mutually beneficial partnerships.

• As a part of the agreement between the AFL and Tianjin Binhai Development Group a Melbourne design company will be commissioned to design the ground. The Tianjin Binhai Development Group will pay for construction (around A$ 1.5 – 2 million). As part of the agreement, the AFL’s obligations include recommending suitable designers of the ground, providing ongoing advice for the formation of the “Tianjin Australian Rules Football Club”, and to help generate use for the ground. The agreement between AFL and Tianjin Binhai Group will also further promote the Australian football development in China.

• The Education Exchange Memorandum of Understanding between RMIT and Tianjin Normal University will foster closer links involving faculty and staff exchanges, consultancy activities, joint seminar and academic meetings, exchange of academic materials and short term academic development programs.

• The Biomedical Memorandum of Understanding between Nankai University and the Australia Chinese Association for Biomedical Sciences will strengthen long-term cooperation in research, education, and technology in biology and medicine. There will be a joint effort to establish the biennial Australia-China biotech meetings, to promote scientific and technological development in the biotechnology and science sectors between Melbourne/Australia and Tianjin/China. The first

3 meeting will be held in Tianjin in September 2008 and the second meeting will be held in Melbourne, in 2010.

• The Investment Agreement between Tianjin Pharmaceutical Research Institute and Atholl Science and Technology Business Consulting will establish and operate a business called AT BIO Pty Ltd.

• The statement of understanding between the City of Melbourne and Tianjin TEDA Management Committee will further enhance cooperation and exchanges in education and training, life sciences, biotechnology, and sustainable development and energy saving technologies.

• opportunities for further exchanges in sister city projects encompassing business, educational, cultural and sporting were identified during discussions between Lord Mayor and Mr Huang Xingguo, Mayor of Tianjin.

• The statement on greater cooperation signed between Invest Beijing and Commerce and Marketing Division of the City of Melbourne identified future areas for cooperation which will benefit life sciences/biotechnology, creative industries and sustainable development sectors of Melbourne’s business community.

Delhi

• The formation of the Delhi-Melbourne Strategic City Alliance will provide Melbourne’s business community an opportunity to explore and develop business opportunities with key partners in Delhi. Given New Delhi is the national capital of India, it should provide opportunities for Melbourne based companies which have entered the Indian market or are planning to do so, to make connections with key contacts.

• New Delhi is hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2010. Given Melbourne’s successful delivery of the Commonwealth Games in 2006, there could be opportunities to leverage Melbourne’s expertise. It is anticipated India’s lack of experience in running major multi-sport events will provide opportunities for sporting business including infrastructure development and venue management companies in Australia to tap into the Indian market.

• The media exposure the signing of the strategic city alliance received should benefit the Indian leisure travel market to Australia by increasing Melbourne’s exposure as a destination.

Osaka

• An official visit by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne to Osaka, within the first six months of the new Mayor of Osaka’s term was well received and seen as a positive indication of Melbourne’s ongoing commitment to the strong sister city relationship between the two cities.

• The Lord Mayor meeting with the Director and key staff from the Osaka Museum of History demonstrated the Council’s appreciation of the support received for the presentation of Kimono – Osaka’s Golden Age in Melbourne and identified opportunities for future joint projects between the Museum, Museum Victoria, City of Osaka and the City of Melbourne.

4 Attachment 2 Agenda Item 7.1 Council 26 August 2008 Travel/meeting itinerary:

Date Location Event/Activity

Melbourne Depart Melbourne – Beijing Wednesday, 28 May Tianjin Attend Asia Society’s 18th Asian Corporate Conference, opening Tianjin LM to deliver remarks during panel discussion at the Asia Society’s 18th Asian Corporate Conference Tianjin Opening MOTJ 10th Anniversary Photo Exhibition (LM to open and Cr Snedden MC) Thursday, Tianjin Tianjin Football Ground opening ceremony (LM to 29 May speak) Tianjin Attend Asia Society’s 18th Asian Corporate Conference dinner and cultural performance Tianjin LM conducts press interviews with Tianjin TV, Tianjin Radio, Tianjin Evening Paper, and Tianjin Daily Tianjin MoU Signing Ceremony witnessed by Lord Mayor and Mr Ren Xuefeng, Vice Mayor of Tianjin. Cr Snedden to MC Tianjin Courtesy call to Mr Huang Xinggou, Mayor of Tianjin Tianjin MOTJ 10th Anniversary gala lunch. LM to deliver Friday, remarks and Cr Snedden to MC 30 May Beijing Courtesy call with Mr Gou Zhongwen, Vice Mayor of Beijing Beijing Meeting with Australian Ambassador to China Dr Geoff Raby Beijing Dinner with Ambassador Raby and key business delegates Beijing Meeting with Professor Lin Junjing, Vice Chancellor, Peking University Beijing LM deliver remarks to the Third International Students Sustainability and Environment Forum, Peking University Saturday, Beijing Meeting with Dai Xianglong, Chairman, National Social 31 May Securities Funds Management Council Beijing Dinner with the accompanying business delegation – LM to deliver welcome remarks Sunday, Travel day Beijing - Delhi 1 June Delhi Site visit – Commonwealth Games Stadium with Dr Lalit Bhanot, Secretary General Delhi Briefing by Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Delhi Meeting with Mr D S Kohli, Executive Director, Northern Monday, Region, Air India 2 June Delhi Meeting with Mrs Ragini Chopra, Vice President Corporate Communications & PR, and Mr A K Sivanandan, Senior General Manager, Jet Airways Delhi Meeting with Mr Sanjay Bahadur,Head of Corporate Affairs, Kingfisher Airlines

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Delhi Meeting with Australian High Commissioner John McCarthy AO Delhi Signing of the Strategic Alliance Agreement with the Chief Minister of the National Capital Territory of Delhi Tuesday, and media conference (Lord Mayor made a speech at both 3 June events) Delhi Meeting with Mr Bharat Wakhlu, Resident Director, Tata Services Ltd Travel Delhi - Osaka Osaka Courtesy call with City of Osaka Mayor Hiramatsu Wednesday, 4 Osaka Welcome reception co-hosted by the City of Osaka and June Osaka-Melbourne Sister City Association Osaka Ceremonial tree planting with the Mayor of Osaka Visit to Osaka Museum of History Thursday, Osaka Tour Museum with Director Osamu Wakita and Ms 5 June Tomoko Nakano Osaka Lunch hosted by IBPC Osaka Travel Depart Osaka for Melbourne Saturday 7 Melbourne Arrive Melbourne June

2 Attachment 3 Agenda Item 7.1 Council 26 August 2008

Media clippings:

Tianjin

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Web links: http://news.enorth.com.cn/system/2008/05/30/003337442.shtml http://news.enorth.com.cn/system/2008/05/30/003334050.shtml http://epaper.tianjindaily.com.cn/tjrb/tjrb/2008-05/31/content_5732715.htm http://epaper.tianjindaily.com.cn/tjrb/tjrb/2008-05/30/content_5732225.htm Delhi

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Images in China

AFL Sod Turning Ceremony COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774909-AFL COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774904-AFL COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774907-AFL

Asia Society Corporate Conference COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774913-Asia Society Conference

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MoU Signing Ceremony in Tianjin COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774924-MoU Signing Ceremony COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774921-MoU Signing Ceremony

Melbourne Office Tianjin 10th Anniversary Gala Lunch COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774919-Gala Lunch

MOTJ Photographic Exhibition COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774943-Photo Exhibition COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774942-Photo Exhibition COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774941-Photo Exhibition

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Press Interview in Tianjin COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774987-Press Interview

Courtesy Call with Vice Mayor of Beijing COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774917-Courtesy Call with Vice Mayor of Beijing COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774916-Courtesy Call with Vice Mayor of Beijing COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774915-Coutesy Call to Vice Mayor of Beijing

MoU Signing Ceremony with Invest Beijing COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774928-MoU with Invest Beijing COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774927-MoU with Invest Beijing COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774926-MoU with Invest Beijing

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Peking University Forum COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774935-Peking University COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774936-Peking University COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774939-Peking University

Networking Dinner at Red Capital

COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4774947-Red Capital Dinner

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Images in Delhi

COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4759623-CIMG1863

Signing of Strategic Alliance Agreement with Chief Minister COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4759595-CIMG1837 COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4759599-CIMG1841

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Press Conference COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4759591-CIMG1834

Meeting with Chief Minister COM_SERVICE_PROD-#4759583-CIMG1828

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