
On 2 August 2024, H.E. Ambassador Zheng Zeguang met with Depute Provost of Aberdeen Steve Delaney, Council Co-Leader Councillor Christian Allard, and Council Co-Leader Councillor Iain Yuill at the Aberdeen Town House. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on strengthening friendly exchanges and practical cooperation between Chinese cities and the City of Aberdeen.
Ambassador Zheng briefed the Deputy Provost and the council co-leaders on China's current political and economic situation, highlighting that the recent third plenum of the 20th CPC Central Committee has set out over 300 important reform measures to be completed in the coming five years. These measures are expected to further stimulate China’s social vitality and development momentum, boost high-quality development, and advance high-standard opening up.
The Ambassador said that in the first half of this year, China's GDP grew by 5%, continuing to make steady progress. We are fully confident in achieving our annual economic and social development goals. China's further deepening of reform comprehensive to advance Chinese modernisation will bring new opportunities to countries around the world, including the UK.
The Ambassador praised the fruitful results of Aberdeen's cooperation with China, noting the broad prospects for collaboration in areas such as energy transition, green and low-carbon development, economy, trade, education, and tourism. China welcomes closer exchanges and wider cooperation between Aberdeen and its Chinese counterparts, which will help leverage the advantages of both sides to complement each other and deliver their respective economic and social development goals.
The Ambassador noted that the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the UK are ready to work with the Aberdeen City Council to create more platforms of exchanges and cooperation for various sectors such as businesses and educational institutions, and bring more benefit to the people of both sides.
The Depute Provost and the co-leaders said that the City of Aberdeen highly values its exchanges and cooperation with China and hopes to further expand areas of collaboration and promote greater people-to-people exchanges. With Aberdeen's rich resources in energy, education, and tourism, they look forward to welcoming more Chinese investors, tourists, and students in the city.
Counsellor Hua Mei, wife of Ambassador Zheng, and Mrs Eileen Delaney, as well as Chinese Consul General in Edinburgh Zhang Biao, Minister Counsellor Bi Haibo, and Counsellor Kong Xiangwen from the Chinese Embassy in the UK, also attended the meeting.
