Bureau celebrates the Year of the Rat

Wong’s Restaurant was the venue for our Chinese New Year reception and banquet as civic dignitaries, members of the business community and students gathered to celebrate the Year of the Rat.

Dianne Francombe, chief executive of the Bristol and West of England Chine Bureau, told the gathering that the organisation stood in solidarity with China as it continued to deal with the effects of the coronavirus outbreak.

“The West of England region is continuing to forge partnerships with China and the China Bureau is at the heart of what is happening,” she said.

“Our hearts go out to everyone in China and we are supporting them all the way in cracking and absolutely undermining this horrendous virus, which is affecting the lives of so many people.”

Dianne introduced the VIP guests at the banquet, who included Councillor Jos Clark, Lord Mayor of Bristol, Tim Bowles, Mayor of the West of England and John Savage, former executive chairman of Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Initiative, who told the gathering that he had first visited Guangzhou in 1998.

Tim Bowles said: “This event is a celebration of everything that is wonderful about our region. The West of England has always been an international trading region and how we develop our relationship with China, in terms of our universities, in research and design and in many other things, is absolutely vital.”

Vanessa Moon, director, Moon Consulting, a guest at the banquet, said: “What a wonderful evening! The food and atmosphere was amazing, I can’t believe how much food there was and Annie did us proud. I thought the whole night was a huge success, from the lovely drinks downstairs, the lion dancers, to the evening upstairs and of course, the food!”  

Now is the time to engage with China, the world’s second largest trading nation. The UK, and especially the West of England, is well positioned to forge more partnerships and benefit economically as well as culturally. Join the China bureau today.