If business and political leaders in the southeast of England get their way, then it will soon be possible to book a direct flight from London Stansted Airport to destinations in China.
To help promote the initiative, a new body has been established to represent the interests of companies and organisations wanting to strengthen trading ties between the region and China.
The inaugural meeting of the East of England-China Forum brought together representatives from a range of organisations, including business groups, local councils, tourism agencies and universities.
The forum is intended to help establish a new partnership between the region and China, secure a direct air link between the two regions and foster new trade and investment opportunities in the East of England.
Last year, China accounted for 30% of all global economic growth and created a surge in UK-bound tourism and investment as well as increased demand for British education, research capabilities, goods and services.
In 2016, the combined value of imports and exports between the East of England and China was thought to be worth £4.3 billion.
“As China becomes an increasingly important force in twenty-first century global trade, it is of paramount importance that the East of England, plus north and east London, has in place a clear strategy that allows it to nurture long-term economic ties with the country,” Ken O’Toole of London Stansted explained.
By building its coalition, the forum feels it will be well placed to demonstrate the size of the opportunity to airlines.
Its ambitions are also rooted in the knowledge that a similar coalition in Manchester has helped secure direct links to both Hong Kong and Beijing in recent years.
