AN ENTERPRISING alliance linking Fenland with the People’s Republic of China could soon be established as a result of a meeting held in Chatteris last week.

Fenland District Council is now actively considering entering a new “twinning” arrangement with Quzhou City in the Zhejiang province of China.

Councillors Alan Melton and Chris Seaton, FDC’s leader and deputy leader, met a six-strong delegation from Quzhou City at the South Fens Business Centre.

The meeting focused on the potential for creating new business links. Afterwards Cllr Melton said: “We are keen to explore the possibility of twinning. It could help to bring new business to Fenland and is another demonstration of our serious inward investment policy.”

The delegation extended an informal invitation to Cllr Melton to visit China. Efforts are now under way to pursue the possibility of more formal links.

Patrick Horsley, of Cambridge Visits, who helped to arrange the meeting, said: “I came away quite optimistic about the chances of some follow-up, particularly with the twinning idea. I got the impression this wasn’t the usual ‘let’s keep in touch’ parting, with no further contact intended.”

The meeting included a presentation by James Kelly of Inter-Asia-Tech, a Fenland company based at South Fens that specialises in audio equipment.

The Chinese also expressed particular interest in the East of England’s developments in environmentally friendly, renewable energy.

Last week’s meeting was the third that FDC councillors and officers have had with official representatives from different parts of China. Previous ones included visits to the Metalcraft factory in Chatteris, the Cambs Times office in March and Fenland Hall.