Introduction
The UK-China 8th Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) between the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer and his Chinese Vice-Premier counterpart in 2016, highlighted the opportunity to promote and deepen the cooperation between the industrial bases in Northeast China and the UK. This was backed by China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and their subordinate Regional DRC.
In order to implement this strategic plan, the Dalian government and the UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) subsequently signed an MOU in October 2017 setting out the basis for cooperation.
The intention was announced to build a bespoke Park and Demonstration area that would specifically and consciously offer the very best support for UK companies who might otherwise perceive the Chinese market as too difficult, risky or expensive to otherwise enter. This is to include focused Intellectual Property support; help with staff recruitment and management; financial and logistical support; direct air links between Dalian and the UK; Free Trade Zones; Tax-Free incentives; a UK designed working environment; British schools, healthcare and social structures; and the full support of Municipal, Regional and National Government bodies.
The Sino-UK (Dalian) Innovation Park (SUDLIP) in Dalian’s Huayuankou Economic Zone, will initially focus on attracting the world-class automotive industry from Britain and establishing an industrial cluster for technology targeting China’s new energy vehicles (NEVs), connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs), general powertrain R&D, motorsport and automotive technology development.
Dalian’s Huayuankou Economic Zone is located at the South of Liaodong Peninsula, on the North shore of the Yellow Sea. It is a Nationally recognised Economic Development Zone approved by the Liaoning Provincial Government and under the jurisdiction of Dalian city. It is an important part of the “Yellow Sea for China’s Liaoning Coastal Economic Belt Development and Opening Strategy”, with a total area of 268 square kilometers.
Dalian City has a population of over 7 million and is internationally known as the base for the World Economic Forum’s “Summer Davos” conference. The environment is comfortable and liveable with good to excellent air quality. Dalian is both a sea port (the 10th largest in the world) and a rail head with High Speed trains giving access to the whole of China and beyond. There is also a second International airport being built (anticipated opening in 2020) to support the one already there and offering domestic and international flights.
The Sino-UK Innovation Park is accessed by High speed and normal rail and an excellent road system.
Current industries in and around the Zone include world-leading companies in semiconductors and high-technology, new and advanced materials, new energy, bio-medicine, energy conservation and environmental protection. It has been awarded the titles of “National High-tech New Material Base”, “National Housing Industrialization Base” and “Liaoning Financial Innovation Experimental Zone”.
