Business expert calls for stronger China links

Jun 18 2008 by Alex Turner, Liverpool Daily Post

A SENIOR Shanghai-based businessman has called on Liverpool firms to visit the country to understand the untapped potential of trading with China.

Simon MacKinnon is currently advising the Liverpool-Shanghai Partnership and has worked in China for most of the last two decades, with P&O and as president of glass giant Corning’s Chinese operations.

“For SMEs, they need to send talented people but the company’s boss has to come out and they will get it,” said Mr MacKinnon.

Mr MacKinnon is also heading up the Shanghai Urban Regeneration Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that is working to share best practice on regenerating areas.

“The Chinese call it the Liverpool Shanghai historic preservation and urban regeneration foundation,” he said.

“We believe that knocking down old buildings you start to lose the city.

“When we presented the idea we said Liverpool has expertise on doing this, of protecting history. This is perfectly aligned with the Expo slogan, ‘Better cities, better life’.”