To celebrate the 45th anniversary of sister city relations between Tianjin and Melbourne, a government and business delegation led by Melbourne Mayor Nicholas Reece visited Tianjin on Sept 21, deepening cooperation across education, culture and commerce.

The day began at Nankai University, where Mayor Reece toured its centennial history exhibition. He met with Nankai University President Chen Yulu and together they inaugurated the Center for Australian Economic and Cultural Research, highlighting decades of academic exchanges.

Reece also delivered a keynote speech and attended the Tanjin-Melbourne air volleyball match, awarding the championship trophy alongside President Chen.

Calling Tianjin "a vibrant and exciting city", Reece emphasized the growing importance of cultural exchanges. He advocated innovation in the arts, the humanities, technology and in business, encouraging government-backed partnerships between research institutions and industry, in order to foster inclusive innovation ecosystems.

In the afternoon, the anniversary exchange event was held at the historic Anglican Art Center. Delegates were captivated by performances and exhibits showcasing Tianjin's intangible cultural heritage. The fusion of classical architecture and modern creativity left a lasting impression.

Mayor Reece shared his personal connection to China, expressing hope for deeper collaboration between Tianjin and Melbourne. He envisioned a flourishing future for the sister city bond.

Melbourne Mayor Nicholas Reece poses for a photo with a woodblock painting. [Photo provided to en.tj.gov.cn]

Reece receives presents from an artisan. [Photo provided to en.tj.gov.cn]

Reece shows photos of his travels in China in the 1990s during his speech. [Photo provided to en.tj.gov.cn]