Will the Minister provide an update on the effectiveness of the Welsh Government's international offices in China?
The Welsh Government’s international offices in China are located in Chongqing, Beijing and Shanghai. The network has a wide remit to identify trade and investment opportunities and carry out activity aligned with the Welsh Government’s International Strategy. Despite the difficult economic conditions caused by the pandemic, trade and investment activity has continued with, for example, the team supporting the delivery of a virtual trade mission to China in 2021.
The China team is also successfully supporting the education sector in Wales, which has been positively received by Welsh institutions. The team recently celebrated St David’s Day in China – taking the opportunity to raise the profile of Wales and strengthen our people to people links. This included touch rugby, a reception to promote opportunities in business, education, food and drink, tourism and culture and an MOU signed between Gower College Swansea and a Chongqing education institution.
During the early days of the pandemic, the China team was also instrumental in our initial response to COVID-19, working with healthcare and business contacts across China to source PPE for Wales.