October 8, 2018 10.12 am This story is over 64 months old

Lincolnshire to cement economic links with Chinese province

A Sister Region agreement will be signed next week

Lincolnshire will further strengthen its economic ties with China’s Hunan province this week when the areas formally become sister regions.

Hunan has a population of around 68 million people and its economy is worth around £385 billion per year.

Representatives from the province, led by Mr Kemin Wang, Deputy Director of Standing Committee of Hunan Provincial People’s Congress, will visit the county on Thursday, October 11.

During this visit he will sign a formal Lincolnshire-Hunan Sister Region agreement.

Mr Wang is the highest-ranking Hunan official to have visited the county, and will be joined by Madam Bao Ling, Minister Counsellor of the China Embassy in London.

Executive Member for Economy and Place, Councillor Colin Davie, said: “With its multibillion pound Belt and Road Initiative, designed to strengthen connections between Asia, Africa and Europe, China is a country we need to be working with, alongside other major economies like the USA and India.

“Many county firms already have strong ties with Hunan, and we want to build on that foundation.

“We have a lot in common with Hunan, and have been working hard to build a strong relationship with the province. The signing of this sister region agreement will take things to the next level.

“I look forward to welcoming our friends to the county and showing them some of the best we have to offer during what I’m sure will be another fruitful visit.”