Bristol business leaders joined the city’s Chinese community to welcome the Year of the Snake at a special banquet.
Hosted annually by Bristol and West of England China Bureau, the celebration at Wong’s Restaurant on Denmark Street included traditional Chinese lion dancers, who welcomed guests to their tables. 
Bureau chair Dianne Francombe OBE opened proceedings with a toast to “community, insight and partnership” and pointed out that next year will be the 25th anniversary of the twin city relationship between Bristol and Guangzhou, China’s third largest city, which led to the group’s formation.
She said: “Community insight and partnership are the pillars that guide our work. These are not just words; they are qualities we develop and nurture together, and they form the foundation of everything we do.
“It is the collective spirit of everyone here tonight that makes this gathering so special. We are a community that thrives on collaboration, fostering relationships that are vital to strengthening our bonds with China.
“Each of you brings unique perspectives, knowledge and expertise to inspire us. By sharing these, we deepen our understanding and connections, both with China and within the broader business community.
“True dialogue and lasting friendships can only happen through partnership. It is essential that we continue to build these relationships, as they allow us to grow together.” 
The guest of honour at the event was the Lord Mayor of Bristol Cllr Andrew Varney, pictured above with guests at the banquet, who told the gathering that he had lived in Hong Kong in 1989 and had travelled around China, including visiting Guangzhou, Guilin, Beijing and the Great Wall.
“Bristol has such a rich cultural mix and the Chinese community is an integral part of that,” he said.
“And in recent years of course, there has been a big influx of Chinese students to the city which has added to this even further.”
Among the other guests included UWE Bristol deputy vice-chancellor Jo Midgley, Bristol International Twinning Association chair Derek Pickup, Alderman Royston Griffey, the directors of the China Bureau and officials from the Chinese Students’ Associations at Bristol’s two universities.
The Bristol and West of England China Bureau was created as the Bristol China Partnership in 1998 when Bristol City Council and local businesses saw the need to build a strong and lasting partnership with China.
Since then, it has played a leading role in strengthening business, cultural and academic links between Bristol, Guangzhou, the wider Guangdong region and other Chinese cities.
