Member Article

New consulate cements Manchester trade links with China

Trade links between Manchester and China have strengthened with the construction of the new British Consulate General in Wuhan, Manchester’s ‘sister city’.

The official start of the project has been marked at a ceremony attended by Barbara Woodward CMG OBE, British Ambassador to China, Shao Weimin, Vice Mayor of Wuhan, Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, and Nick Whittingham, British Consul-General in Wuhan.

Located in Corporate Centre 5 of Wuhan Tiandi, the new British Consulate will officially open to public later this summer. It is the fourth British Consulate in China.

In addition to the British Embassy China in Beijing, the UK also has Consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing. The opening of the new Consulate will further enhance the UK’s links with Central China.

Nick Whittingham also announced the launch of operations of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and British Council in Wuhan. The two teams began working in Wuhan in March, and will further explore and enhance the relations between the UK and Wuhan in areas of trade and investment, arts, culture and education.

This week, the Consulate as well as other UK government departments and partners, including UKTI, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI), British Council, VisitBritain, the China Britain Business Council, and Manchester City Council (Wuhan’s ‘sister city’ in the UK), organised UK Week’ in Wuhan. This comprises a series of events in the areas of business, tourism, education and culture.

Smart Cities Planning and Governance is a special focus of the week. The final workshop for the project of UK-China Smart Cities: Planning and Governance was organised and the project of UK-China Smart Cities: Design and Delivery was launched.

These projects, funded by FCO China Prosperity SPF Fund will support the development of smart cities in both China and the UK, and will enhance the city links between Manchester and Wuhan.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council said: “Manchester and Wuhan have been sister cities for many years and the relationship has gone from strength to strength.

“I’m delighted to lead such a significant Manchester delegation to Wuhan to further deepen our relations and the opening of this new consulate is a significant moment.

“Manchester and Wuhan have much in common and I’m sure our ever-growing links will benefit the citizens in both cities, opening up new opportunities for economic and cultural connections.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .