LIMERICK CITY COUNCIL has signed a memorandum of ‘friendship and co-operation’ with a Chinese city with a population of eight million.

The deal, signed this week with a delegation from the municipality of Nanjing, will forge new links between the cities in fields including trade, culture and education.

The memorandum will see the countries keep “keep in constant friendly contact, inform each other to major events and activities and exchange information on respective interests” while also facilitating visits between the two cities.

The deal was signed in China this week by a visiting delegation from Limerick, led by city mayor Jim Long, during a reciprocal visit following a visit of officials from Nanjing to Limerick last December.

Long said the deal would help Limerick to compete on the same levels as Dublin, which has similar links with Beijing, and Cork which has close ties with Shanghai.

Among the matters discussed during the visits were the potential training of Chinese pilots at Shannon, and links between software companies and the National Technological Park in Plassey.

“There is the potential now to advance this chance to develop Limerick’s links with a huge Chinese market,” Long said, “and we have to embrace it with open arms and encourage further economic links between our respective cities.”

The deal will be of particular benefit for the University of Limerick, which stands to benefit from links with no fewer than 41 universities in Ninjing – which between them cater to some 600,000 students.

UL president Professor Don Barry said the university’s partnerships with leading Chinese universities was “testament to its reputation as an innovative and pioneering leader in education”.

“The exchange of students between UL and China will have benefits for our students, our region and our continued growth,” he added.

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