Business leaders have hosted the highest ranking delegation yet from Southampton’s twin city of Qingdao, China.
The two-day visit was led by Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and had a key focus on organic food production.
Qingdao Mayor Huang Longhua was among four officials who made the 11,000-mile round trip.
Their itinerary took in the Sunnyfields farming and retail co-operative at Totton, one of the UK’s oldest organic businesses.
The party discussed organic techniques and community-supported agriculture with owner Ian Nelson.
The visit was the latest in a series by Qingdao officials to Southampton in recent months. Previous themes have included the commercial marine and biofuels sectors as well as cultural exchanges.
Hosting the visit were Peter Robertson, President of Hampshire Chamber’s Southampton Office, and Stewart Dunn, Hampshire Chamber Chief Executive.
Mr Dunn said: “This visit sets the scene for closer trade links between us and Qingdao and the chance for Hampshire exporters to go there and seek opportunities to tap into China as the world’s fastest growing superpower economy. A partnership approach can help us generate jobs and inward investment here in Hampshire.”
Speaking through interpreter Yang Fei Lee, Mr Longhua said: “Our aim on this visit is to learn about agriculture in the UK, particularly organic production and to discuss cooperation opportunities.”
As well as Mr Longhua, the visitors were Guan Yuan Jiang, Vice Mayor of the Qingdao municipality of Jimo, You Cuiyu, Director of the Qingdao Municipal Commission of Agriculture, and Wan Shuwei, Director of Qingdao’s Agriculture Academy.
After their visit to Sunnyfields, the delegation attended the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton where they met Chief Executive Michael Ockwell to discuss cultural exchanges.
Southampton has been twinned with Qingdao since 1998. Both are port cities with growing leisure, tourism and cultural sectors.
