Bristol businesses to gather for Chinese New Year celebration

The Bristol and West of England China Bureau is holding a major celebration to usher in the Chinese Year of the Rat next month.

Leading figures from Bristol’s business community will be gathering at Wong’s Restaurant in Denmark Street for the Chinese New Year banquet on Wednesday, 12th February.    

The bureau’s annual showpiece event is hosted by its chief executive Dianne Francombe, who was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List. 

Dianne, who has led the Bristol and West of England China Bureau since 2011, was honoured for services to UK/China relations. She was among a group of business leaders recognised for “truly exceptional and outstanding service to international trade, investment and exporting.” 

“Our event brings together civic dignitaries, representatives of businesses and organisations engaging with China, students and scholars and enthusiastic supporters of China,” said Dianne Francombe. 

“It is a wonderful platform to celebrate the Chinese New Year, experience Chinese culture and a wonderful Chinese banquet while engaging in conversation and learning about the level of engagement there is between our region and China across all aspects of business. 

“We are optimistic that relationships with China will strengthen during the next year, especially given the recent news about Jinye providing investment for British Steel to continue. The West of England region is continuing to forge partnerships with China and the China Bureau is at the heart of what is happening.” 

Next China Bureau Event

Dianne said her OBE was the result of 30 years of engagement with China – stretching back to the time when she was director of admissions at the then Bristol Polytechnic in the 1980s. 

“This was a total shock – I don’t know who it was, but someone must have nominated me for an honour,” she said.

“I was bowled over by China the first time I visited in 1989. After visiting Hong Kong I did a short tour of the mainland which took in Beijing, Xian and what was then Canton, later re-named Guangzhou, and left a piece of my heart there.

“Since then China has always exerted a pull on me and the love affair – and the ties and relationships between Bristol and China, especially its sister city Guangzhou – have continued to strengthen.” 

The Chinese New Year banquet will be a sell out as tickets this year are limited, so please reserve your ticket immediately via 

https://www.chinabureau.co.uk/events/chinese-new-year-reception-and-banquet