Mr Geddes was part of an Otago delegation led by Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin on an eight-day visit to the expo.
His trip cost ratepayers between $6000 and $8000 for his air fare, accommodation and overheads.
Mr Geddes said he was "very grateful" to be part of the delegation.
"Being part of the delegation opened a large number of doors and introduced me to people I wouldn't ordinarily be able to meet. People I met were interested in education, investment, tourism and residential opportunities in the Lakes district," he said.
He had up to four one-on-one meetings per day during three days with Chinese business people from the investment, visitor, and education sectors.
"They were individual people who had a special interest in the Lakes district. My message was that New Zealand and Lakes district are relatively small communities that are interested in building strong and long-term relationships with China, and Shanghai in particular. We need to work out how we can take advantage of areas of common interest for the benefit of both countries," he said.
Chinese investment was coming to New Zealand "ready or not", he said.
He would be talking to relevant business people in the district and setting up links with those he had met in Shanghai.
The aim of the trip was to establish links with Chinese business sectors and leave "them with an entirely positive view of what we as a community have to offer both to visitors and investment".
The delegation was hosted by the Shanghai City Council's foreign office and met the Mayor of Shanghai, the presidents of six Chinese universities, and construction group and airline executives.
It also included Clutha Mayor Juno Hayes and representatives from the Otago business and education sectors.
