Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese is off to China this week as Chancellor George Osborne attempts to impress the country in the art of Northern Powerhouse.
The delegation which includes Lord Jim O’ Neill, Mancunian former head at Goldman Sachs and now Commercial Secretary to the Treasury, are aiming according to this morning’s Observer to
“want a golden relationship with China that will help foster a golden decade for this country. It is an opportunity that the UK can’t afford to miss. Simply put, we want to make the UK China’s best partner in the west.”
They will be using part of the visit to showcase the Northern PowerHouse concept and to tell the Chinese that they should look at all areas of the UK to invest.
China has already done its bit in Manchester, with the Beijing Construction Engineering Group involved in the joint venture to build the £800m ‘airport city’ with that deal being announced by George Osbourne on a Trade mission to China three years ago.
Also on the trip are Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, leader of Sheffield City Council Julie Dore, leader of Trafford Council Sean Anstee, Leader of Leeds City Council Judith Blake, CEO of Sheffield City Council John Mothersole and Leader of Cheshire East Council Michael Jones as well as Business Secretary Sajid Javid, Energy Secretary Amber Rudd, Communities Secretary Greg Clark, Minister for Small Business Anna Soubry and the Economic Secretary to the Treasury Harriett Baldwin.
O’Neill added:
Our commitment to build a Northern Powerhouse is clear, but this trip is set to highlight our plans for growth on a global scale, by showcasing to Chinese investors the many exciting opportunities in the North.
