On Thursday, Zheng also attended a more specific forum on hydrogen energy cooperation co-organized by China's Consulate General in Manchester, the UK National Committee on China, and the Manchester China Forum.

Participants discussed hydrogen investment and opportunities in Greater Manchester and stressed continuing dialogues with Wuhan, in Central China's Hubei province, to explore cooperation potential for green hydrogen demonstration projects after the two cities signed a memorandum of understanding on exchange and cooperation in the hydrogen industry last April.

Long Liangwen, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of Wuhan Municipal People's Congress, led a delegation to the forum and said the local government will organize more group visits for stakeholders in the hydrogen industry, to discuss business applications, strengthen joint research between Wuhan University of Technology and universities in Manchester, and co-design industry standards and coordinate mechanisms in the two cities.

Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said in her opening speech that Manchester had set ambitious targets to be net zero in carbon emissions by 2038.

"We are working hard to achieve our climate goals, but we cannot do it alone. We can only tackle climate change by working together globally," she said, praising the Chinese government's commitments to reach peak carbon emissions by 2030, and to hit carbon neutrality by 2060.

"It has provided a stable platform for investment and innovation," said Craig of the Chinese government. "Our relationship with China remains productive, thanks to the strong infrastructure in our city to support trade and investment with China, as well as the large Chinese community living in the city and surrounding region who continue to make a positive and significant contribution to our economy and to our culture."