China's investment in the United Kingdom has maintained strong momentum this year, especially in infrastructure and real estate, a senior Chinese diplomat said.
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"The UK has been China's leading investment destination in Europe," said Zhou Xiaoming, minister counselor of the Chinese embassy in the UK.
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So far this year, Chinese investment and acquisitions in the UK have exceeded $2 billion, Zhou said.
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Chinese companies are also expanding their areas of cooperation in Britain, moving from traditional finance, trade and telecommunications to advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, branding and research and development.
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"Such cooperation has promoted the growth of Chinese companies and helped them go global. It also boosted growth and employment in Britain, making a contribution to the British economic recovery," Zhou added.
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Since the beginning of 2013, there has been a wave of deals between China and Britain, including:
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Zhejiang Geely Holding Group in February acquired the principal assets of Manganese Bronze Holdings, owner of the London Taxi Co.
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In May, Chinese commercial developer Advanced Business Park (China) Holdings Group Co Ltd signed a $1.51 billion deal with Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, to develop a 14-hectare complex of offices and shops at the Royal Albert Dock.
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Infrastructure and real estate were "hot spots" for Chinese companies in the first half, said Zhou. Some of the other deals included:
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Dalian Wanda Group Corp Ltd, one of China's largest and most ambitious conglomerates, closed two deals in June in the UK, investing 700 million pounds ($1.08 billion) to build a five-star hotel by the River Thames and buying 92 percent share of Sunseeker Yachts for 320 million pounds.
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Chinese insurer Ping An Insurance (Group) Co of China Ltd bought the landmark London home of insurance market Lloyds of London for 260 million pounds in early July.
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Private Chinese tire maker Shangdong Yongtai Chemical Group Co acquired a majority stake in Covpress International Holdings, a UK-based supplier of body panels, in August.
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Zhou added that Chinese companies are encouraged by Britain's open markets. They have either acquired strategic assets to boost their own brands and technology or scaled up their R&D spending in Britain.
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Zhou noted that China and Britain signed a currency swap line with an upper value of 21 billion pounds in June, China's first currency swap agreement with a major developed country. The agreement was a big step forward in London becoming a center for offshore yuan business, Zhou said.
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Despite the difficulties posed by the European debt crisis and protectionism, Sino-UK bilateral merchandise trade grew 2.6 percent in the first half to $30.3 billion, Zhou said.
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China's exports to Britain rose 2 percent to $21.7 billion, while imports from Britain jumped 4.4 percent to $8.6 billion.
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Analysts noted that China and Britain have complementary economies. Britain has abundant experience in the service and creative industries and technical innovation, while China, as an emerging market, offers a large potential market.
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"There is huge potential for cooperation between China and Britain," Zhou concluded.Â