China-Northern England Cooperation Forum held in Leeds

LEEDS, Britain, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The China-Northern England Cooperation Forum was held here Monday, bringing together business representatives from China and Britain to explore new opportunities for cooperation in investment and trade.

At the forum themed "Partnership for a Prosperous Future," Chinese Ambassador to Britain Zheng Zeguang noted that trade and investment relationship between China and Britain serves the fundamental interests of both sides.

He pointed out that thanks to the measures China has put in place more growth opportunities will be generated.

Citing figures from the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) Trade Tracker, Claire Urry, CBBC's chief commercial officer, said, "Yorkshire and the Humber region experienced the fastest year-on-year growth of export to China in all the UK regions in the second half of 2022."

"Should this strong, upward trajectory continue, regional exports will hit record levels very soon," she said.

Phil Witcherley, interim director of Inclusive Economy, Skills and Culture of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, highlighted the role international trade and investment plays in promoting development at the forum.

Witcherley said West Yorkshire "is committed to developing stronger links with key international partners like China and driving forward international trade and investment initiatives, which are essential to the prosperity of our region and the North (of England)."

At the round-table forum, companies from the Northern England region expressed their willingness to expand to the Chinese market. "The market in China is a huge opportunity," Brandon Medical Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Keith Jackson said.

In 2019, "we started to look at China for the first time. I have to say it's been a fantastic experience," Chris Black, managing director of Sound Leisure, a British jukebox manufacturer, said.

Fang Wenjian, chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK, said that Chinese investments have increased in the country, and notably Yorkshire and the Humber region has become increasingly attractive due to its promising prospects.