Senior members of the Liaoning and Northern Ireland governments recently met to discuss ways of fostering friendship and economic cooperation between the two regions.

On Dec 8, 2016, the Liaoning Provincial Government met with a 12-member delegation led by Arlene Foster, chief minister of Northern Ireland.

Both parties detailed their investment environments and opportunities, and discussed deeper cooperation between the two regions.

After the negotiations, the parties signed a letter of intent geared towards friendly relations between the two nations.

In 2015, the total volume of foreign trade between Liaoning and the United Kingdom was $1.09 billion, accounting for 1.1 percent of the province’s total.

Between January and October 2016, total foreign trade volume between Liaoning and the UK reached $1.27 billion, 1.8 percent of Liaoning’s total.

By the end of 2015, 364 UK projects had found investment in the Liaoning region, with actual funding reaching $1.66 billion.

Between January and October 2016, the UK invested in five projects in Liaoning, with actual investment of $550,000.

Northern Ireland was once the world’s center of shipbuilding and linen with a powerful base in manufacturing.

Northern Ireland’s economic structure is complementary to Liaoning’s and both parties aim to further strengthen cooperation in high-end manufacturing, pharmacy, infrastructure and scientific research.

Representatives of Northern Ireland and Liaoning province sign a letter of intent to establish friendship and economic cooperation between the two regions. [photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Liaoning Provincial Government meets with a delegation from Northern Ireland to discuss trade cooperation, on Dec 8, 2016. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]