23/09/2015
Chancellor Makes Historic Visit To North West China
The Chancellor George Osborne will today (Wednesday) make a historic visit to Urumqi, in the region of Xinjiang, North West China.
The Chancellor is the first serving government minister to visit the region.
Ahead of his visit Chancellor Osborne welcomed a major new investment in the Northern Powerhouse by a Xinjiang-based firm and announced a new aim to make China the UK's second largest trading partner.
The Chancellor visited Hualing Industry and Trade Group which today announced its intention to provide the investment needed to unlock three major property projects in Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield with a gross value of £1.2 billion.
The three projects, which are being led by the UK's Scarborough Group, are expected to create 18,000 jobs and enable the delivery of 10,000 much-needed new homes, helping to build the Northern Powerhouse.
According to the latest available trade figures from the Office for National Statistics, China is currently the UK's sixth largest trading partner, with British exports to the country totalling £25 billion in 2013.
Speaking on his visit to Urumqi, Chancellor George Osborne said:
"China's emerging regions, like Xinjiang, hold enormous potential in the years ahead.
"That's why I wanted to come here today to see this place for myself, and highlight Britain's absolute commitment to support the growth of Urumqi together with the whole of the Xinjiang region.
"We are building an ever closer relationship with China – it's a partnership that is set to unleash growth and help regions like Xinjiang where we know investment can make a real difference, as well as unleash new growth back home, in places like our own Northern Powerhouse."
(MH/CD)
The Chancellor is the first serving government minister to visit the region.
Ahead of his visit Chancellor Osborne welcomed a major new investment in the Northern Powerhouse by a Xinjiang-based firm and announced a new aim to make China the UK's second largest trading partner.
The Chancellor visited Hualing Industry and Trade Group which today announced its intention to provide the investment needed to unlock three major property projects in Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield with a gross value of £1.2 billion.
The three projects, which are being led by the UK's Scarborough Group, are expected to create 18,000 jobs and enable the delivery of 10,000 much-needed new homes, helping to build the Northern Powerhouse.
According to the latest available trade figures from the Office for National Statistics, China is currently the UK's sixth largest trading partner, with British exports to the country totalling £25 billion in 2013.
Speaking on his visit to Urumqi, Chancellor George Osborne said:
"China's emerging regions, like Xinjiang, hold enormous potential in the years ahead.
"That's why I wanted to come here today to see this place for myself, and highlight Britain's absolute commitment to support the growth of Urumqi together with the whole of the Xinjiang region.
"We are building an ever closer relationship with China – it's a partnership that is set to unleash growth and help regions like Xinjiang where we know investment can make a real difference, as well as unleash new growth back home, in places like our own Northern Powerhouse."
(MH/CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 February 2004
Bird flu 'still not under control' despite culls
Although some 80 million chickens have so far been culled to fight the Asian bird flu epidemic, the spread of the virus is still not under control in several countries, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.
Bird flu 'still not under control' despite culls
Although some 80 million chickens have so far been culled to fight the Asian bird flu epidemic, the spread of the virus is still not under control in several countries, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.
19 June 2014
UK-China Agree £14bn Trade And Investment Deals
£14bn of trade and investment deals have been agreed between UK and Chinese firms following Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to the UK. The Chinese Premier met David Cameron at this latest UK-China summit, just six months after the Prime Minister's visit to China.
UK-China Agree £14bn Trade And Investment Deals
£14bn of trade and investment deals have been agreed between UK and Chinese firms following Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to the UK. The Chinese Premier met David Cameron at this latest UK-China summit, just six months after the Prime Minister's visit to China.
28 July 2004
Foreign Minister embarks on three-day China visit
Human rights and Hong Kong are set to top the agenda of a three-day visit to China by Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell starting today. The trip follows the visit to the UK by the Chinese Premier in May and is part of a programme of high-level visits.
Foreign Minister embarks on three-day China visit
Human rights and Hong Kong are set to top the agenda of a three-day visit to China by Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell starting today. The trip follows the visit to the UK by the Chinese Premier in May and is part of a programme of high-level visits.
27 June 2011
UK And China Are 'Partners For Growth'
Prime Minister David Cameron has announced trade deals worth £1.4 billion following the UK-China Summit in Number 10. Chinese Premier Wen and Foreign Secretary William Hague attended the talks.
UK And China Are 'Partners For Growth'
Prime Minister David Cameron has announced trade deals worth £1.4 billion following the UK-China Summit in Number 10. Chinese Premier Wen and Foreign Secretary William Hague attended the talks.
11 May 2004
Chinese and UK companies sign billion-dollar trade deals
British companies BP, Shell, Kingfisher and B&Q (China) have today announced their new joint ventures in China with a total value of over US$1.5 billion.
Chinese and UK companies sign billion-dollar trade deals
British companies BP, Shell, Kingfisher and B&Q (China) have today announced their new joint ventures in China with a total value of over US$1.5 billion.