Region keen to reap economic benefits of link-up

A new initiative has been launched in the east of England to secure a new air link to China from London Stansted Airport.

The East of England-China Forum is made up of the Essex-based airport’s representatives, business leaders and local politicians who want to strengthen ties between the region and China.

The group is looking at creating a new partnership with China by working to secure direct flights which can foster new trade and investment opportunities in the east of England.

The membership-based forum also wants to stimulate inward investment, tourism spend, student numbers and export opportunities.

Stansted Airport said that a similar coalition has proved successful in the northwestern city of Manchester, helping secure direct links to Hong Kong in 2014 and to Beijing in 2016.

As a result of the Beijing route, exports from the north of England to China increased by 260 percent to 200 million pounds ($268 million) per month, with Chinese visitors to the north also increasing by more than 50 percent.

Ken O’Toole, chief executive officer of London Stansted, said, “In the next few years China is expected to overtake the USA to become the biggest aviation market in the world, and together with a relaxation of visa and flight restrictions for Chinese visitors, now is the time for the region to come together to secure new direct links between our region and China.”

During the Forum’s first meeting on May 14, industry representatives from the east of England and London businesses, business groups, county councils, tourism agencies and universities agreed to build and focus on their relationship with China, to encourage more businesses to explore opportunities in the country and to increase connectivity with the world’s second-largest economy.

“A new direct air link to China from Stansted will significantly boost the Essex and regional economies,” said Kevin Bentley, chairman of the East of England Local Government Association’s Europe and International Panel, who is also deputy leader of Essex County Council. “We are delighted to be contributing the resources of Essex County Council’s specialist China business advisory team at Essex International to help in the creation of the East of England-China Business Forum.”

Last year, China accounted for 30 percent of all global economic growth, and the country’s sustained expansion has created a surge in UK tourism and investment, as well as increased demand in China for British education, research capabilities, goods and services.

In 2016, the combined value of imports and exports between the East of England and China was valued at 4.3 billion pounds, according Stansted Airport.

Direct flights from the UK to China have been a boost to the British economy. According to a report by Frontier Economics, routes between Heathrow and China contribute more than 520 million pounds annually.

Meanwhile, Gatwick Airport in Sussex recently expanded its flights to China to include Chengdu. Its flight list also includes Xi’an and Qingdao.