Delegation will forge major links with China sister city
MANCHESTER is set to build on opportunities to work its sister city in China, Wuhan, on trade and investment, ubranisation, education, arts and culture and sport.
That’s the message which a multi-partner delegation from the city – including Manchester China Forum, Manchester City Council, UKTI North West and Greater Manchester universities – will be taking to Wuhan next week, from March 23 to 27.
During the week, a programme of events tied to the opening of a new Biritish Consulate General in the city, and forming part of a wider UK Week celebration in Wuhan, will take place.
The aim will be to demonstrate the wider economic benefits of Manchester’s longstanding relationship with the city and seek to draw out new projects and partnerships where the two cities can collaborate.
Specific areas of work that the Manchester delegation will be involved in during the visit includes smart cities – the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a series of seminars setting out collaborative working around joint policies and projects focussing on Corridor Manchester and Qingshan Riverside District.
Also covered will be regeneration – a sharing of sustainable urbanisation lessons with Wuhan, a city which is developing at an unprecedented scale, and for education, a meeting between Greater Manchester and Wuhan universities.
For trade and investment, there will be UKTI North West trade mission programme and launch of the China-British Business Council report on business opportunities in Wuhan.
There will also be formal meetings between Manchester City Council, Manchester China Forum, Wuhan Municipal Government and Hubei Provincial Government.
Meanwhile, there will be an introduction of a new Manchester-led project called ‘Eight’ by HOME, Manchester’s new multi-art form venue, and Brighter Sound, a cultural producer of creative music projects and events based in Manchester.
The project will see four Manchester and four Wuhan artists join forces for eight days to produce a new work and is part of the activities within the UK China Year of Cultural Exchange programme.
Executive director of the Manchester China Forum Rhys Whalley said: “This visit is a shining example of how the Manchester China Forum in conjunction with Manchester City Council are working together to develop a multi-partner approach that incorporates commercial, academic and cultural institutions in the development of long-term partnerships with an important sister-city.
“This very much embodies the approach that the Forum hopes to deliver around its China engagement strategy.”
Leader of Manchester City Council Sir Richard Leese, said: “Our strong relationship with Wuhan and the opening of the new British Consulate General provide a huge opportunity for Manchester.
“The city is competing in a global arena and these links will help Manchester’s efforts to attract investment, jobs and visitors as well as supporting the efforts of businesses here to access important new markets. That’s why I’m proud to be joining this multi-partner delegation to represent Manchester.”
Director of UKTI North West Clive Drinkwater, added: “Given Manchester’s long standing relationships with Wuhan, the opening of the new Consulate is a significant further step forward in assisting local firms to develop their business in Wuhan and throughout the rest of China.
“Exports from Manchester to China have increased significantly over recent years and China has become our third biggest market after only USA and Germany, rising from being our 12th biggest six years ago. We look forward to seeing more firms capitalise on the strong links between Manchester and Wuhan and to our exports growing even more over the coming years.”
