South Belfast MLA Anna Lo has backed plans for a Chinese consular office in Belfast, saying closer ties with the Asian country will boost the North’s economy.
Plans for the consulate were discussed last week by the First and Deputy First Ministers in their meeting with Yuansong Jiang, Consul General at the Chinese Embassy in London.
Lo, who is the chairperson of the Chinese Welfare Association (CWA), said: “It’s great news that China is hoping to open a consular office in Belfast. This will be a real boost for people wishing to travel to or do business with China.”
The Alliance Party politician continued: “Currently, if you wish to obtain visas and deal with similar matters, people must travel to the consular offices in Edinburgh. Having an office here would make planning a trip to China far easier and will also provide us with a vital link to one of the world’s biggest economies.”
Lo added: “The greater links to China that a consular office in Belfast will give us could help us boost our local economy. Northern Ireland must take a broader worldview to reach out across the globe to strengthen our economy and attract inward investment. Having a Chinese consular office here will help us facilitate this.”
Building stronger links with China has long been identified as a means of developing the North’s economy and a number of trade missions have been carried out, with more planned.
Lo, who is the chairperson of the Chinese Welfare Association (CWA), said: “It’s great news that China is hoping to open a consular office in Belfast. This will be a real boost for people wishing to travel to or do business with China.”
The Alliance Party politician continued: “Currently, if you wish to obtain visas and deal with similar matters, people must travel to the consular offices in Edinburgh. Having an office here would make planning a trip to China far easier and will also provide us with a vital link to one of the world’s biggest economies.”
Lo added: “The greater links to China that a consular office in Belfast will give us could help us boost our local economy. Northern Ireland must take a broader worldview to reach out across the globe to strengthen our economy and attract inward investment. Having a Chinese consular office here will help us facilitate this.”
Building stronger links with China has long been identified as a means of developing the North’s economy and a number of trade missions have been carried out, with more planned.
Speaking after the meeting, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness stressed the fact that Northern Ireland’s Chinese population will also benefit greatly from having the consulate on their doorstep: “The Chinese community is currently the largest ethnic minority living here. The establishment of a consular presence will further enhance the relationship between our two peoples and provide greater levels of support to the local Chinese community.”
Discussions on the consulate took place when the two ministers hosted a reception at Stormont, held on their first full day in office, which sought to highlight the contribution made by ethnic minorities to culture, economic and political life in the province.
Welcoming the guests, First Minister Ian Paisley said: “It is important tonight to celebrate our rich cultural diversity, highlight the importance of ethnic communities and demonstrate our zero tolerance of racism.”
