Northern law firm Ward Hadaway to secure Chinese trade links

Representatives of law firm Ward Hadaway are flying east this week to secure new business and strengthen trade links with Chinese firms at the China-Shaanxi SME Cross-Border Investment and Trade Cooperation Conference.

Elaine Chan, a commercial litigation partner based at Ward Hadaway’s office in Manchester, was invited to the event along with the firm’s head of commercial, Colin Hewitt, by Bank of China.

Discussing the decision to attend, Elaine said the conference in Xi’an will offer Ward Hadaway “a great opportunity” to form new relationships and connect with Chinese firms looking to do business both in the UK and Europe.

She commented: “We will be there to see if we can help facilitate trade, co-operation, investment or joint ventures between these companies and the UK so it promises to be an interesting and exciting trip.

“Xi’an where the conference is taking place is the capital city of Shaanxi Province and is known as the starting point of the ancient Silk Road – the famous trade route between China and the west – so it is quite an appropriate venue.”

Elaine added: “It is also the hometown of the current Chinese President Xi Jinping and is recognised as an important location for overseas companies and investors.”

Speaking further, Elaine explained that Xi’an is the permanent home of the Euro-Asia Economic Forum and holds status as Western China’s economic powerhouse, with active industries including aerospace, engineering, agriculture and tech.

Colin Hewitt commented: “Whilst these discussions are the very start of potential commercial developments, it is clear that there is a real appetite amongst companies in China to do more business with the UK and through the UK, Europe.

“We have a significant number of face-to-face meetings already lined up with companies operating in a wide range of different sectors.”

He continued: “It promises to be a fascinating and productive visit and we are looking forward to spreading the word about our capabilities as a law firm to further international trade and commerce.

“We have a strong track record of supporting inward investment projects in the UK and we hope that this latest initiative proves to be equally successful.”