Five cities in China in five days for FCO Minister

That’s the plan for the FCO Minister for Asia and the Pacific, Mark Field MP who is on a five-day tour of China. During the visit he will stop off at five locations in the world’s second largest economy.

“China is an essential partner for the UK in many areas, from science and innovation to trade and investment”, said Mr Field upon his arrival in China. He went on to say that he was looking forwards to “seeing more partnerships develop as we strengthen our links in the new chapter of our ‘Golden Era’.”

Britain's Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field [File photo: AP /Richard Drew]

During 2016, British exports to China were worth £16.8bn. while Chinese exports to Britain were worth £42.3bn. This makes China the fourth-largest import partner for the UK and eighth-largest export partner. With the UK seeking trading partners for a post-Brexit country there has been a lot of interest in relationships with China.

Earlier this year the Prime Minister, Theresa May and Liam Fox, the International Trade Secretary visited China and signed deals worth over £9bn.

A spokesperson for the FCO said that the Minister will be visiting Beijing, Chongqing, Chengdu, Nanjing and Shanghai. It’s hoped that the visit will help develop business, investment and science and innovation links between the UK and China.

On the Beijing leg of his visit Mr Field will discuss bilateral issues and UK-China co-operation on foreign policy, this comes ahead of the UK-China Strategic Dialogue on 30 July. As GBTIMES reported, new Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt is set to be in Beijing for the talks.

The visit will have a cultural aspect too, while in Shanghai, the Minister will visit the Shanghai Museum special exhibit ‘Landscapes of the Mind: Masterpieces from Tate Britain’, the FCO says that there will be more discussion over “opportunities with one of China’s leading museums about further future collaboration in the cultural and creative sectors”.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that “The China-UK relationship enjoys a sound momentum for development at this point.”