Guangzhou has signed a memorandum to strength mutual exchanges and cooperation with Darwin, Australia on Oct 25, making Darwin Guangzhou's 77th international friendship city.

Darwin, capital city of the Northern Territory in Australia, is among the closest areas to Asia in Australia. As an important port city, Darwin is also known as the gateway to Asia. It only takes five hours and a half to travel between Darwin and Guangzhou by air.

Kon Vatskalis, mayor of Darwin, used to study at Anhui Normal University and has visited Guangzhou five times.

Vatskalis said that Guangzhou and Darwin has a good foundation for cooperation in areas including natural gas, seafood trade, and education.

"Our visit in Guangzhou this time is to carry out deeper communication and we hope both sides can have stronger cultural connections," said Vatskalis.

Vatskalis said that Darwin is rich in natural resources, such as natural gas and rare metals, and that there is immense potential for cooperation between the two cities. "With the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, large amounts of clean energy and resources will be required and Darwin is able to provide these resources," he added.

Kon Vatskalis, mayor of Darwin. [Photo/Guangzhou Daily]