On 27 March 2023, H.E. Ambassador Zheng Zeguang met with Lord Mayor Christina Black of Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, at the Belfast City Hall. The two sides had friendly exchanges on strengthening cooperation between China and the city of Belfast.

Lord Mayor Black warmly welcomed Ambassador Zheng and his delegation. She said that in 2016, Belfast became a sister city of Shenyang, and since then the two sides have made positive progress in mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, education, and culture. Belfast has world-renowned universities and unique advantages in high-end manufacturing, green development and many other areas. It is a city full of vitality, hope and warmth. They are eagerly looking forward to unleashing the cooperation potential between China and Belfast through Ambassador Zheng’s visit, and welcome more Chinese investors, students and tourists to come to Belfast.

Ambassador Zheng thanked the Lord Mayor for her warm hospitality. He said that during his visit to Belfast, he had a taste of the city’s historical heritage and unique political, economic and cultural characteristics. Ambassador Zheng expressed his hope for joint efforts of the two sides to promote mutual understanding, deepen friendship, and advance exchanges and cooperation.

Ambassador Zheng said that China is promoting high-quality development, and will continue to pursue opening up at a higher level and accelerate green transformation. There is great potential for cooperation between China and Belfast on business, education, cultural exchanges, and tourism. It is hoped that Belfast and Shenyang will strengthen exchanges and cooperation as sister cities to bring more tangible benefits to the people of both sides.

Representatives of the China National Petroleum Corporation, the China Construction Bank, and the Agricultural Bank of China in the UK briefed the meeting on their investment and operations in the UK, including in Northern Ireland, and expressed readiness to further strengthen investment cooperation with Belfast and help achieve net zero emissions and economic and social development.

Chinese Consul General in Belfast Zhang Meifang, Counselor Hua Mei, wife of Ambassador Zheng, and Minister Bao Ling, Minister Counselor Bi Haibo, Counselor Kong Xiangwen of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, and representatives of other Chinese companies in the UK were also present at the event.