Council Builds on International Relations with China

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council recently hosted two delegations from the Chinese city of Changchun in the Jilin Province, following a Council visit to the city in October.

Council Chairman, Councillor Mark Murnin and President of Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade, Mr Colum Shannon welcomed the senior delegation from the Ministry of Commerce at Council offices.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairman, Councillor Mark Murnin said, “I am delighted to welcome both the Chinese officials and the Jilin University medical students to our district. Visits such as these both further our already existing relationship and demonstrate ways in which this relationship can deepen and benefit all of us.”

During their visit to the Council, the senior officials discussed trade, the Council’s position on the border and the political impact of Brexit on business and communities. The second delegation of students from the Second Hospital of Jilin University visited Northern Ireland for seven days, during which time they undertook some medical study at the University of Ulster. Jilin University is one of the main public universities in the Jilin Province where Council has established an agreement of Friendly exchanges.

As part of the visit, the Council facilitated a visit to Daisy Hill Hospital where they met hospital directors and representatives from the Human Resources Department. Following this, the students met with Dr Patrick Lynch, Global Launch Excellence Manager at Norbrook Laboratories, who provided an overview of the company’s development across the pharmaceutical sector.