Member Article

Liverpool signs friendship agreement with Inner Mongolia

China’s first ‘football city’ has announced a new official relationship with the Liverpool City Region.

Liverpool City Region has signed an agreement that will strengthen its bond with the Chinese Autonomous Region of Inner Mongolia – following the visit of a delegation from the region. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement will see the two regions build on existing ties and work together to create a positive, mutually beneficial relationship.

Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia has been nominated as China’s first Football City in a national program directed by President Xi that aims to create 20,000 football schools.

The agreement was signed by Bai Xiangqun, Vice-Governor of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Government and Wirral Council Leader and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Lead for Economic Development & Energy, Phil Davies, on Friday, September 3rd. The signing was attended by members of the Inner Mongolia delegation, Liverpool Vision Chief Executive Max Steinberg and Director of Invest Liverpool Ellen Cutler.

Bai Xiangqun, Vice-Governor of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Government, said: “There are many opportunities to strengthen relationships with Liverpool. For example, Inner Mongolia has been tasked by President Xi with creating China’s first “National Football Centre” which will not only bring the importance of this international game to the youth and social programs of China but strengthen international relationships in the many counties where China aims to build friendship and common interest in the “One Belt One Road” strategy. Liverpool has a strong heritage and great experience in this area, from which we can learn.”

Ellen Cutler, Director of Invest Liverpool, said: “We’re delighted to be formalising our relationship with this thriving region through the signing of this MOU. Inner Mongolia is one of the fastest growing economies in western China and we look forward to strengthening networks and exploring potential for mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities. We hope to be able to send a delegation to Inner Mongolia in the near future and welcome the advent of this new chapter in the Liverpool City Region’s relationship with this culturally rich, vibrant and progressive Chinese region.”

Inner Mongolia is the second largest economy in western China. Urban disposable income per capita grew by 8.5 per cent in 2015 and the mineral-rich cities of Baotou and Erdos have some of the highest wealth levels in China.

During their visit, the delegation toured Liverpool City Region and met with Liverpool City and Wirral officials including both Cllr Phil Davies, Leader of Wirral Council and Ged Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Liverpool Council.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Violet Brown .