Leeds celebrated the Chinese New Year in style this week with a special business networking event that highlighted the strong relationship the city, and wider region, has with China.
The event, which was hosted by Leeds City Council in partnership with the Leeds City Region LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and the Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds, demonstrated the scale and breadth of China-related activity, and showcased some of the exciting partnerships which exist between China and the Leeds City Region.
The celebrations also saw the inaugural Leeds City Region Business awards which recognised individuals and organisations that have made a contribution to developing business links or partnerships with China. The winners included:
Leeds City Region-China Partnership Award: TPP
Exporter of the Year Award: A W Hainsworth
Chinese Investment Award: OSO Polymers
Tourism, Arts and Culture Award: Dane Royd Junior and Infant School
Significant Contribution to Leeds City Region China Relations: Howard Grindrod, Hisense UK
High profile guests were present at the event including the Chinese Consul General in Manchester, Zheng Xiyuan, Leader of Leeds City Council, Cllr Judith Blake and Chairman of the Leeds City Region LEP, Roger Marsh OBE. Other attendees included representatives from the Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds, members of the University of Leeds Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) and the wider business community.
Leeds’ strong links with China includes a twin-city partnership with the city of Hangzhou, in Zhejiang province. In 2018 the cities celebrated 30 years of partnership.
Did you know?
Chinese New Year celebrates the beginning of the New Year on the traditional Chinese calendar and is based on the lunar calendar. 12 Chinese zodiac animals are used to represent each year and this year is the year of the rat! Why not have a go at saying Happy New Year in Chinese to your friends and family using the image below to help.
