''Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much''.
Helen Keller's words have inspired generations, and are equally pertinent on a personal, institutional, national or global level.
In the global marketplace in which we now do business, it is essential to work together in a variety of ways to achieve goals.
Business collaboration has many benefits. Different parties bring a range of skills and experience to the table, costs are shared, as is responsibility, yet the rewards and benefits are often incalculably larger than the sum of their parts.
Sharing common interests, cultural, sporting, education and commercial ties, and encouraging friendship, support and understanding as well as trade and tourism potential, are the aims behind sister-city relationships throughout the world.
Dunedin's relationship with Shanghai builds on the historical links with the early Chinese settlers who came to work on the Otago goldfields and contributed to the foundations of the city and province.
Formalised in 1994, the sister-city agreement was renewed in 2008 and last year, and is becoming increasingly significant in terms of the economic opportunities it can provide, given Shanghai's population of 23 million and position as a major financial centre.
The importance of the sister-city relationship led to the formation of Project Shanghai, an offshoot of the city's economic development strategy, a partnership of Dunedin businesses, educational institutions and the Dunedin City Council which aims to develop two-way trade and investment opportunities for the city.
In recent weeks and months, the Dunedin-Shanghai relationship has begun bearing more fruit, with several exciting deals signed or proposals announced.
A major deal between the University of Otago and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China's Oxford or Cambridge equivalent), reported this week, will see the two organisations work together on research and commercial applications.
The deal, made during a Dunedin delegation's trip to Shanghai, could open doors to China's enormous medical research market, to other collaborations between the institutions, new relationships with other companies, and the opportunity for related businesses to develop or expand in Dunedin.
A similar agreement between Qingdao University, the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic, is tipped to follow.
Also this week it was confirmed an offer to help the University of Otago build, and be academically involved with, its marine science institute and public aquarium proposed for the waterfront (to replace the now-closed Portobello aquarium) was made by a Chinese party in Qingdao during the Dunedin delegation's trip.
It was one of several potential business joint ventures discussed. Other developments are believed to be in the offing.
In February it was revealed Chinese investors had plans to establish a $60 million international school and had selected Dunedin as their preferred location. More details are expected to be released in coming months.
And the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Dunedin City Council and Betterways Advisory Ltd may help find a way forward for that developer's plans for a $100 million five-star waterfront hotel in the city.
Given that proposal has been so contentious, collaboration between the council and the hotel's Chinese backer Jing Song, is certainly the key to getting it off the ground to the satisfaction of all parties.
It is right that any proposals need due consideration and issues must be ironed out before consents are granted.
But it is exciting for the city that Chinese investors are increasingly seeking opportunities here which will benefit local businesses and residents, and that our ties with China will lead to opportunities for Dunedin companies there, too.
Reaffirming our historic golden links with China may help ensure the city's beleaguered-seeming wheels of fortune keep turning.
And another thing
On the subject of investment and the city's fortunes, it is heartening to see the former chief post office heritage building coming to life after more than a decade in the shadows.
Silver Fern Farms staff have begun working from their new headquarters on the first two floors of the partially-restored building, which will eventually house more commercial tenants and the four-star-plus Distinction Dunedin Hotel.
Building owner Geoff Thomson should be commended for his dedication to and investment in the project, which will go a great way towards rejuvenating the Exchange and encouraging further development in the area.
