Although customs most likely won’t accept it, Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan has been named an honorary citizen of a sister city in China.
Corrigan has received a gold medal to represent the honorary citizenship he’s received from Zhongshan, China. The southern city is the birthplace of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen and it’s named after him.
“I am so very proud and honoured now to be named an honorary citizen of this remarkable city with which the City of Burnaby has developed such a unique and valuable bond,” Corrigan said in a media release.
Corrigan first visited the city in 2007. Two years later, the city signed a friendship agreement with Zhongshan before becoming official sister cities in 2011.
“I look forward to many more years of working together – as sister cities – on mutually beneficial projects, partnerships and exchanges that enhance cultural awareness, education, economic development and trade,” Corrigan said in the release.
Zhongshan city officials formally announced the honour on Nov. 13 during a special ceremony in China.
“Mayor Corrigan … has been committed to strengthening the exchanges and cooperation between the City of Burnaby and the City of Zhongshan in various fields, including economy, culture and education,” the announcement stated. “He has made a significant contribution to the exchanges and cooperation between Zhongshan and Greater Vancouver.”
The last time a sister city agreement was signed in Burnaby was in 1965. Burnaby also has agreements with Kushiro, Japan; Mesa, Arizona; and Hwaseong, Korea.
Sister city visits often occur between officials from both locations. In September, delegates from friendship city Changshu, China visited Burnaby.
In 2012, Corrigan made sister city visits to China and Arizona, at a cost of more than $8,800 combined. Councillors Richard Chang, Dan Johnston, Anne Kang and Paul McDonell also made sister city visits.
Chang, Kang and McDonell joined Corrigan on the trip to China, at a cost of more than $7,000 each. Johnston and McDonell visited Arizona for more than $1,000.
