On November 2, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Department for Communities and Local Government of the UK co-hosted the Second UK-China Regional Leaders Summit in Shanghai. President Li Xiaolin of CPAFFC, Sir John Peace, the Chair of Midlands Engine and Vice Mayor Chen Yin of Shanghai delivered the opening speeches. Vice President Song Jingwu of CPAFFC, Consul-General Shanghai Mr John Edwards, President Zhang Xiaosong of Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and around 200 local government representatives from East China and Midlands Engine of the UK, together with entrepreneurs and scholars from both sides attended the summit. The Party Secretary of Shanghai Mr Han Zheng met the main guests before the summit.
President Li Xiaolin points out that local cooperation is an important basis for the development of state relations, and the relationship between friendship cities is an important carrier of local cooperation. It is expected that local governments and entrepreneurs of both sides can seek local cooperation that works best for their regional development, and to make sure the project can follow up the practical outcomes of the existing cooperation and attract more regions to come. She hopes the summit would become a brand for regional cooperation between the two countries.
Sir John Peace introduces the basic information of the Midlands Engine. The Midlands Engine is home to 11 million citizens, 25 world first-class universities and advanced manufacturing such as aviation and engine. The Midlands Engine is the long-term strategy of the current government, aiming to boost regional economy. Through the cooperation with East China, the project would like to share experience and explore the potential of economic growth. The project will bring benefits to the two peoples in the golden era between China and the UK.
Vice Mayor Chen Yin says today's Shanghai needs intellectual innovation, international vision and world wisdom more than ever, and those will boost further development. The UK is the world's major research and innovation base, from which Shanghai can learn a lot.
The regional leaders, scholars and entrepreneurs from the two countries exchanged in-depth views on Creative Industries and Sport and The Future of Advanced Manufacturing, with the aim to promote practical regional cooperation. The summit has witnessed the signing of Agreement on Establishment of Friendship Relations between Changzhou City and Solihull Metropolitan Borough, MOU between Ningbo TV and Nottingham City, MOU between Ningbo Lishe Airport and East Midland Airport and MOU between Shaoxing Yuanhenghulian Internet Technology Co. Ltd. and Red Step Marketing.
Vice President Song Jingwu accepted the interview of Xinhua News Agency.
The UK-China Regional Leaders Summit is the first local government exchange mechanism established in the framework of China-UK High-Level People-to-People Dialogue. This year marks the beginning of the "golden era" of relations between China and the UK. This March London and Sheffield held the first UK-China Regional Leaders Summit. The second summit held in the same year will further implement the consensus of the two countries’ state leaders, and help lift the “global comprehensive strategic partnership for the 21st century”between the two countries to a higher level.
