From October 22 to 25, 2024, Yang Jianqiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Xi’an Municipal Party Committee, Deputy Mayor and Secretary of the Party Committee of the Municipal Resource Planning Bureau, led a delegation to visit the White Stone Global Geopark in Huaitai, New Zealand and the Blue Mountains National Park in Australia, in order to strengthen network exchanges among global geoparks. Staff from Xi’an Municipal Resource Planning Bureau, Xi’an Municipal Housing and Urban Rural Development Bureau, Xi’an Urban Investment Group and Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark Management Office participated in the delegation. Gary Kircher, Mayor of Huaitai, New Zealand, David Higgins, Chief Maori, Rachel Plieger, Chairman of the Huaitai White Stone Global Geopark Trust, Dr. Young Ng from the Australian Geosciences Commission, Axel Moline, World Head of Landscape at Blue Mountains National Park, and other relevant officials participated in the reception.
During the visit, the delegation from Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark received a warm welcome from Huaitaiji White Stone Global Geopark and Blue Mountains National Park. At Huaitaiji White Stone Global Geopark, both sides had in-depth exchanges and discussions on the management, protection, scientific research, education and tourism promotion of the geopark. Both sides signed a letter of intent for further exchange and cooperation and jointly promoting the development of the global geopark in a friendly and enthusiastic atmosphere. The cooperation mainly covers areas including jointly conducting geological scientific researches, strengthening the exchanges of park management experience, talent exchanges and training, and promoting geopark marketing.
Meeting with Huaitaiji White Stone Global Geopark and local government
Signing the sister-park relationship agreement
Field trip in White Stone Global Geopark
At Blue Mountains National Park, both sides discussed and exchanged experiences on the “zero emission” hiking mode and the construction, operation, and management of infrastructures in the national park. Through this exchange, both parties expressed that there is extensive cooperation space in nature conservation, park management, and geological tourism promotion. In the future, they will work together to contribute to the protection of our planet and the sustainable development of natural parks.
Meeting with Blue Mountains National Park and Australian Geosciences Commission
Field trip in Blue Mountains National Park
The successful hosting of this visit and signing event has received high attention and support from the governments and geopark management departments of China, New Zealand and Australia. This cooperation will not only help enhance the visibility and influence of Qinling Zhongnanshan Global Geopark, Huaitaiji White Stone Global Geopark, and Blue Mountains National Park, but also promote in-depth exchanges and cooperation among China, New Zealand, and Australia in the field of geoparks. The three geoparks will take this opportunity to further expand their cooperation areas, deepen their cooperation content, and jointly create a beautiful future for the geopark cause.
