ABOUT

The Manchester China Forum is Greater Manchester’s special-purpose vehicle tasked with building strong, long-term, and coordinated links between GM and China. MCF was launched by the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne in April 2013, and has received acclaim as a leading regionally-led initiative focused on deepening meaningful links with the world’s key growth economy. 

Greater Manchester’s approach to China engagement directed by MCF has significantly strengthened the region’s relationships and profile in the Mainland and has delivered a number of major milestones, including significant growth in commercial engagement, the launch of direct routes to Beijing and Hong Kong as well as the historic visit of President Xi to the city. Since the inception of MCF, Chinese firm have invested in projects with a development value in excess of £6bn in the region. Alongside the growth in direct investment, Greater Manchester has also seen a rapid rise in both Chinese tourist as well as students - with the University of Manchester now boasting the single largest Mainland Chinese student population of any European city. 

In February 2018, the successes of the Forum were recognised at the Hurun business awards where the organisation was awarded for its outstanding contributions to enhancing UK-China relations. In February 2019 and 2021, Manchester China Forum was presented with the Recognition Award at the Greater China Business Awards, 

organised by the Department for International Trade North West.