Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom Zheng Zeguang on Monday attended the China-Northern England Cooperation Forum in Leeds, calling upon local businesses to continue strengthening economic cooperation and creating mutual benefits for both countries.

The forum was organized by the China-Britain Business Council and the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK, with about 50 business representatives joining the forum.

In his keynote speech, Zheng pointed out that, in the face of a weak global economy and complex external environment, China's economy in the first half of this year has been picking up, a growth trend that is faster than other major economies in the world.

"The long-term positive fundamentals of the Chinese economy have not changed and it will continue to provide positive energy for world peace and development," Zheng said, adding that the Chinese and British economies are highly complementary and strengthening cooperation is in the interests of both sides.

The regional economy of Northern England has advantages in high-end manufacturing, financial services, medical and health care, education, and innovative industries, and attendees at the forum said there is great potential for cooperation with China.

Zheng stressed that China opposes the British side's discriminatory practice of restricting investment by Chinese enterprises, and the two countries should provide each other's enterprises with a fair, open and non-discriminatory business environment, and build more cooperation platforms for these organizations.

Despite current political tensions, Zheng said he hopes that the British business community will respond positively to the call made by President Xi Jinping in his recent congratulatory letter to the 70th anniversary of the "Icebreaking Mission" in China-UK trade.

"We should pass on the openness, cooperation, and pioneering spirit, so as to strive to open up a new situation of win-win cooperation between China and the UK for the betterment of the people of the two countries," Zheng said.

Phil Witcherley, interim director, Inclusive Economy, Skills and Culture of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Fang Wenjian, chair of the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK and Claire Urry, chief commercial officer of China-Britain Business Council, gave speeches at the forum along with ten business representatives.