(House of Lords, 19 June 2013)

I warmly congratulate the launch of the Manchester China Forum!

The Manchester China Forum was created in Manchester in April. Today's launch ceremony in London has once again highlighted its importance. This initiative offers a new platform for promoting exchanges and cooperation between China and Manchester. It also sets a new pattern for expanding and deepening cooperation between Chinese and British local authorities.

We hope that the Manchester China Forum will become an important mechanism for cooperation between China and Manchester and northwest England. It will further strengthen coordination between our local governments, businesses, educational and cultural institutions and increase our people's mutual understanding. It will tap into the potential of our cooperation in trade, investment, education and tourism, help us draw on each other's strengths and make our cooperation more fruitful.

We also hope that the Manchester China Forum will catalyze a chain of similar initiatives in more British cities and boost the level of overall China-Britain relations.

In conclusion, I wish the Manchester China Forum vigorous progress!

Thank you.