The 10-day trip will include a tour of a Shenhua open cut mine and mining rehabilitation area.

Gunnedah Shire mayor Owen Hasler, deputy mayor Gae Swain and council general manager Eric Groth and their partners will be among those leaving for China on July 17.

The council representatives will be joined by members of Gunnedah’s Chamber of Commerce and community members.

Cr Hasler said while the federal government was expected to give its final decision on the Shenhua Watermark mine near Breeza just  days ahead of the departure, the outcome would not impact on the visit.

The idea of exploring the Linhe District of China as a potential sister city was raised by Cr Hasler after discussions with Shenhua Watermark chairman Liu Xiang.

Mr Liu offered to help in the Sister City process, and Shenhua has assisted in preparations for the visit.

But Cr Hasler said the visit would not be paid for by Shenhua or the council, with each member responsible for their own expenses.

Members of the visit have been taking Chinese language lessons in preparation.

Their itinerary will include a visit by some members of the tour to Qufu City in the southwestern Shandong Province, where Chamber of Commerce members will meet with a business that has expressed interest in Gunnedah.

All members of the tour plan to attend an official dinner with Shenhua officials in Beijing before they fly to the Linhe District.

They will meet with government officials, and spend four days in the district.

The visit will include an inspection of the 30 million-tonne-a-year Shenhua open-cut mine at Xue Jia Wan.

Cr Hasler said he believed the visit could lead to a number of benefits for Gunnedah.

“A sister city relationship with the Linhe District could lead to opportunities for youth exchange and for ecotourism,” he said.

“Obviously if Shenhua is successful [with the Watermark mine], there is going to be a lot happening between China and Gunnedah.

“This means we are building economic connectivity.”

Cr Hasler said the agreement could open up possibilities for schools and youth groups.

“Quite clearly, China is a powerhouse and we need to try and give some exposure to young people,” he said.

“Young people now jump on a plane and go all over the world, whereas we used to think it was a big think to go to a neighbouring town.”

The visit has the strong support of Gunnedah’s Chamber of Commerce, with chamber president Ann Luke and other members among the visitors.

Ms Luke said the chamber saw the visit as an “opportunity to develop skills and awareness in the travellers regarding working with Chinese businesses”.

“In particular, the chamber is looking to explore opportunities for Gunnedah businesses to service Chinese interests and possibilities of Chinese investment by businesses in our region,” she said.

“We will be attending a number of functions and meetings in which we hope to gain information on: developing Gunnedah as a destination for Chinese tourists; nurturing investment opportunities; developing labour exchange expertise; developing skills in maintaining the global relevance of Gunnedah businesses;  provision of local training.

“In effect we want to bring back information on being ‘China ready’.”