In March, Fuzhou Municipal People’s Government invited the mayor or her nominee and two further council officials to attend this month’s three-day Fuzhou mayors’ summit and trade fair.

The invitation offered to meet travel and accommodation costs and other expenses for council officials to meet with the Shaolin Abbot in Dengfeng to discuss progress on the approval process for the Shoalhaven temple project.

Cr Greg Watson, who has visited China on a number of occasions, including attending the Fuzhou trade fair, said it was a great opportunity for the Shoalhaven.

“The opening of the trade fair alone is attended by between two and three million people,” he said.

“It is the opportunity for trade between some industries in the Shoalhaven and Fuzhou, of which there is already some importation occurring.”

Cr Watson did not plan to attend himself because he is scheduled to have surgery to have varicose veins removed at the time.

A council statement said it had not been aware of a deadline for registration.