Bristol’s burgeoning links with China have been strengthened following the visit of a high-powered delegation from Shenzhen – the city often described as the country’s silicon valley.
The event, staged by the West of England China Bureau and supported by inward investment agency Invest Bristol & Bath and HSBC, was aimed at introducing Bristol to senior Chinese officials and business leaders.
The Chinese delegation included leaders from a number of key industrial and commercial sectors including electronics, investment, property, communications, banks and manufacturers. Also attending were representatives of the renowned wine industry based close to Shenzhen as well as specialised business consultants. 
They met a range of Bristol business figures at the meeting at HSBC city base in Temple Quay, including Lord Mayor Cllr Alastair Watson, Ben Shorrock of Invest in Bristol & Bath and logistical and commercial specialist Tim Davies, who heads Colliers International’s Bristol office.
Pictured: Bristol Lord Mayor Alastair Watson with the Shenzhen delegation
Bristol already has strong business links with Guangzhou, China’s third-largest city, through a long-standing ‘sister city’ arrangement. Shenzhen and Guangzhou form the two principal cities of the Guangdong region and are key cities on the Pearl River Delta economic powerhouse.
West of England China Bureau chief executive officer Dianne Francombe said: “The importance of this latest delegation to visit Bristol cannot be overstated.
“This latest visit confirms once again just how highly Bristol is regarded at the top levels of Chinese business. The size, breadth of interest and seniority of the delegation reflects the efforts made by the West of England China Bureau to forge links with this crucial global trading partner.
“It has been very encouraging to see the enthusiasm with which our own international companies such as HSBC and Colliers International have responded to this particularly high-powered delegation from Shenzhen.”
Tim Davies said Bristol had all the attributes required to become a major trading partner with the Shenzhen region.
“We are determined to establish closer business connections with China and I was honoured to be invited to address the delegation on commercial and private sector investment opportunities in Bristol,” he said.
