China Cluster project for Manchester Airport

David Cameron and the President of China Xi Jinping have launched a £130m ‘China Cluster’ project at Airport City Manchester.
The announcement came during their visit to the Airport following the unveiling of a new direct flight schedule from Manchester to Beijing, starting on June 10 2016, operated by Hainan Airlines. A spokesman said that as businesses in China and the North take advantage of the improved connectivity, the Manchester-Beijing route will generate further economic benefits in terms of productivity, increased trade and collaboration, and increased foreign direct investment.
During their visit Mr Cameron and the President were shown plans for the £800m Airport City Manchester development, one of the UK’s most significant examples of collaboration between Britain and China in terms of infrastructure development.
Chief executive of Manchester Airports Group Charlie Cornish said: “Today’s announcements are clear evidence of the vital economic role that Manchester Airport plays both nationally and regionally within the UK. “The North is playing a leading part in heralding a golden era of economic co-operation between the UK and China and we are delighted that
“His Excellency Xi Jinping and the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon David Cameron were able to join us in unveiling Airport City’s £130m ‘China Cluster’ investment and also Hainan’s new direct scheduled services to Beijing – the only route of its kind outside of London.
“I’m also delighted to be welcoming Hainan Airlines to Manchester Airport to operate the new route to Beijing, which will bring over £250mof economic benefits to the UK economy over the next decade.
“Together with our existing links to Hong Kong, Manchester Airport is now well connected to one of the UK’s most important trading partners.
“Manchester Airport is the global gateway for the Northern Powerhouse and both the China Cluster and the new direct route will provide an opportunity for Chinese investors to access the many opportunities available to them in the North. Businesses in the North will also be significant beneficiaries as it will soon become much easier for them to build strong commercial relationships with Chinese partners.”
Mr Dai Binbin, chairman of Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG), said: “Airport City Manchester is one of the best tangible examples of how Chinese investment is revolutionising Northern infrastructure.
“Since Airport City was launched in 2013, BCEG has been struck by the huge number of opportunities for Chinese investors in both the North West and across the wider UK.
“BCEG has been instrumental in conceiving the concept of the ‘China Cluster’ and believe it will prove to be a compelling platform from which ambitious Chinese companies can enter the UK and engage with one of the UK government’s key strategic priorities; the development of the Northern Powerhouse.”
Chen Feng, chairman of the Board of Directors, HNA Group, said: “As a Chinese enterprise going global, Hainan Airlines is fully engaged in the construction of the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative and today’s announcement is further proof of this.
“I am confident that the Beijing-Manchester route shall form a new and vital air bridge between the UK and China.
“Beijing-Manchester is the sixth international route that Hainan Airlines has launched this year, following Chongqing-Rome, Beijing-San Jose, Shanghai-Boston, Shanghai-Seattle and Beijing-Prague.
“Hainan Airlines looks forward to launching further routes between the UK and other metropolitan cities in China in the future.”