China’s Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua will begin a two-day visit to Wales today aimed at boosting trading and investment ties between the two countries.
The Vice-Premier and a delegation of vice-ministers and ambassadors are visiting Wales following the UK-China high level economic financial dialogue, which was held in London yesterday.
Welsh exports to China were worth £379m in 2018 – a 21% increase compared to 2017. China is ninth in terms of Wales’s top export destinations.
There are around 15 Chinese-owned companies in Wales, employing some 2,500 people.
They include: Northern Automotive Systems in Gilwern; TongFang Global, in Bridgend; Shunxi Stem Cell Engineering, in Swansea and Acerchem in Port Talbot.
Speaking ahead of the visit, the First Minister, Mark Drakeford, said: I’m very pleased to welcome Vice-Premier Hu and his delegation to Wales.
“Wales has long-standing and strong economic, cultural and educational links with China and I look forward to building on these during the Vice Premier’s visit.”
Minister for International Relations Eluned Morgan said “China is one of Wales’ most important export markets. As the world’s second largest economy, China is a global economic powerhouse.
" We are determined to ensure Welsh companies are in the best position possible to build on the export opportunities available in one of the strongest economies in the world.”
This evening, the Vice-Premier will hold a bilateral meeting with the First Minister and members of the Welsh Government’s cabinet, followed by a banquet to honour the Vice Premier’s visit to Wales, which will be attended by representatives from Welsh business, academia, arts, culture and sport who are working with or in China.
