On 18 July 2023, H.E. Ambassador Zheng Zeguang visited Leeds, England and met with Leader of Leeds City Council James Lewis.

Ambassador Zheng noted that China and the UK are at different stages of development and are highly complementary in economy. Strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation will help both sides achieve their respective development goals. Leeds has advantages in innovative technology, high-end manufacturing and education, and has great potential for collaboration with cities in China. The sound development of the sister-city relationship between Hangzhou and Leeds is an epitome of the win-win cooperation between China and the UK. China supports Hangzhou and Leeds in their effort to enhance educational and cultural exchanges, and deepen cooperation in the fields of economy, trade and innovation for the greater benefit of the people of both sides and the growth of relations between the two countries.

Councillor Lewis warmly welcomed Ambassador Zheng and his delegation to Leeds, and thanked him for organising a delegation of Chinese business leaders to Leeds to explore cooperation opportunities, saying that he believes the visit will help Leeds and Northern England to expand collaboration with China for common development. Leeds has close ties with China. Nearly 10,000 Chinese students are studying in the University of Leeds and other universities. More and more Chinese-funded enterprises are coming to Leeds to invest and start businesses, which is welcomed by the local people. Leeds wishes to strengthen exchanges and expand collaboration with China in such fields as economy, trade, education, culture, and tourism, in order to elevate the economic development and people's livelihood of both sides. Leeds is proud of its sister-city relationship with Hangzhou, and hopes to deepen cooperation with the city and receive delegations from it going forward.

Chief Executive of Leeds City Council Tom Riordan and Consul-General Tang Rui at the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester participated in the meeting.