Swansea has a number of formal twinning links, of which the longest is that with Mannheim in Germany. However, we also have friendship ties with other cities, including Nantong in the Jiangsu province, located on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, near the river mouth.
Nantong had a population of 7,282,835 at the 2010 census, 1,994,708 of whom live in the built-up area made up of three urban districts. So it is quite a bit bigger than Swansea. Nevertheless we have maintained friendly relations with the city for 30 years or more, if memory serves right, and there have been a number of visits in both directions as each seeks to capitalise on the link to enhance our educational and economic offering.
Thus it was that I met a delegation from Nantong in the Lord Mayor's parlour this morning, exchanged gifts and gave them a tour of the Guildhall. I am not sure what they made of my explanation of the tapestry around the council chamber as representing scenes from a National Eisteddfod, or even that the Brangwyn panels were painted to celebrate the British Empire, but hopefully they enjoyed the experience.
The visitors then went onto Swansea University before returning this evening for a more formal event, as we hosted them at the Mansion House for dinner, where we were able to talk about the City deal and other matters beneficial to both cities.
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