New Westminster has renewed its 21-year sister city relationship with Quezon City, Philippines.

A delegation from Quezon City dropped by city hall Monday morning, where they signed a reaffirmation of the memorandum of agreement that established the sister city relationship in 1991.

Mayor Wayne Wright said a delegation from Quezon City visited New Westminster to reaffirm the sister city agreement and to ask city officials if they'd visit in 2014, when Quezon City will be celebrating its Diamond Jubilee.

"I think Quezon City for me and for the city is one of those unique situations. We have so many Filipinos in the city and the country," he said. "We are fortunate to get them."

During a ceremony at city hall, Wright and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista signed a reaffirmation of the original sister city agreement.

Wright said officials from the City of New Westminster last visited Quezon City in 2004.

The City of New Westminster has established sister city relationships with Moriguchi, Japan (1962), Quezon City, Philippines (1991) and Lijiang, China (2002). It also has friendship city agreements with Zhenjiang and Yunfu in China.

"These important ties are built on mutual friendship and respect and promote economic development and cultural exchange opportunities for both partners," states the city's website.

In 2009, several city officials visited China and Japan on a two-week mission to foster economic development, culture and education ties.

The city's economic development officer also visited Korea to pursue opportunities there on the city's behalf.

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