On 29 March 2023, Ambassador Zheng Zeguang, who was visiting Northern Ireland, met with Mayor Sandra Duffy of Derry City and Strabane, the second largest city in Northern Ireland. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on strengthening the friendship between China and Derry.
Mayor Duffy warmly welcomed Ambassador Zheng and his delegation, and shared with the delegation the city’s development in recent years and its future plans. She said that Derry has a number of favourable conditions such as its geographical advantage of connecting the European Union and the United Kingdom. It has identified new energy, digital economy, high-end manufacturing, financial services, and health as the key sectors for future development, and Chinese entrepreneurs are welcome to invest in the city. Derry and Dalian have carried out sister-city cooperation for five years, and the two sides have achieved positive results in mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, education, research and development, tourism, and culture. The city views China as an opportunity for development and looks forward to expanding exchanges and cooperation with China through the Ambassador's visit.
Ambassador Zheng thanked Mayor Duffy for her warm hospitality, and expressed his hope that through his visit, mutual understanding between China and Northern Ireland will be enhanced and friendship and cooperation deepened. Although China-UK relations are currently facing some challenges, local practical cooperation has been growing steadily, which reflects the huge potential of cooperation between the two sides and the shared aspirations of the two peoples. China will continue to actively support Dalian and other Chinese cities to expand friendly exchanges and cooperation with Derry, especially to further tap into the potential for cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, education, culture, tourism, sports, new energy, and high-end manufacturing, so as to better benefit the people of both sides.
Chinese Consul General in Belfast Zhang Meifang, Counselor Hua Mei, wife of Ambassador Zheng, and Minister Counselor Bi Haibo, and Counselor Kong Xiangwen were present at the meeting.
