London, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Shehzad Chaudhary, Midlands director for international trade and investment at UK's Department for Business and Trade, said that there is great potential for cooperation between China and the Midlands region of the United Kingdom (UK) in areas such as bicycles, electric vehicles, and green technology, with enterprises from both sides closely connected and interdependent in technology development and market expansion.
Chaudhary made the remarks at the China-Midlands Cooperation Forum held recently in Coventry, a central city in England.
According to Chaudhary, the Midlands region has tradition and strength in automobile manufacturing, and stressed the importance of working with Chinese companies for the industry's green transformation. He encouraged entrepreneurs participating to further promote bilateral dialogue and cooperation, thus better advancing sustainable development and technological innovation in the future, as well as maximizing mutual benefits.
During the forum, John Norton, head of the inward investment team at Coventry City Council, said Coventry is the first UK city to adopt an all-electric bus fleet, and is home to the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre, a national flagship facility for research and manufacturing of modern battery systems.
"A newly designated Coventry and Warwick Gigapark investment zone is designed to attract investors and occupiers to create a world-leading cluster of battery manufacturing," said Norton. "Collaboration with China can positively benefit all parties."
Fang Wenjian, chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK, said the Midlands of UK has become a key investment area for Chinese and British companies, with over 43 percent of surveyed Chinese and British companies operating in the region, making it a major economic center after London and the southeast of England.
Some Chinese companies investing in this region have made good progress.
For instance, Chinese automaker Geely acquired a car company in the region 18 years ago. By using Geely's global procurement platform and technical advantages, Geely has successfully transformed the originally bankrupt British company into an advanced factory specializing in producing electric taxis, making contributions to the UK's green transformation.
Zheng Zeguang, China's ambassador to the UK, pointing out that Geely has combined advanced Chinese automotive manufacturing technology with the century-old experience of British car companies, making important contributions to promoting the renewal of special taxis and boosting green and low-carbon development in the UK, becoming a landmark investment project in the UK for the Chinese automotive industry.
(Contributed by Zhang Yadong, edited by Bao Nuomin with Xinhua Silk Road, baonuomin@xinhua.org)
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