A CALL has been made to Derbyshire firms to seek out new business opportunities in China following a fact-finding visit by the country's ambassador.

Fu Ying, the Chinese ambassador to the UK, was in the county following an invitation by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson and UK Trade and Investment, a government-backed organisation which helps form international trade links.

The UK Government is looking to increase the amount of business the country does with China and Mrs Ying's visit aimed to dispel some of the myths the Chinese may have about British manufacturing.

During her visit, she was given an insight into some of the hi-tech methods used by companies such as Advanced Composites Group in Heanor.

The firm specialises in advanced composite carbon and glass fibre reinforced plastic that is used for yachts, Formula One cars and planes.

The company is looking to China as a potential market

She also visited Slack and Parr in Kegworth. The company is a leading manufacturer and supplier of advanced precision engineering products.

Mrs Ying said: "There is a perception in China that there is not a lot of manufacturing left in the UK – but this trip has helped dispel those myths and has been extremely useful.

"What the UK can offer China is that innovation and creativity that companies like Advanced Composites show.

"There are a lot of opportunities in China for British companies. The downturn has affected the whole world and countries working together is the way forward."

Mrs Ying's visit was filmed by Central China TV and will be shown on national Chinese news to a potential audience of 1.3 billion.

Dr Bryan Jackson, chairman of East Midlands Development Agency and former managing director of Toyota's Burnaston plant, accompanied her on her tour.

He said: "It is very much about finding out more about one another. With the UK's flair for research and development, new ideas and creativity, combined with China's capacity production, it could potentially be a good marriage."

Andrew Kahn, UKTI's chief executive, who also accompanied Mrs Ying, said: "There are opportunities to be had and our role is to bring UK and Chinese companies together.

"Mrs Ying's visit is a first step in getting to know one another and finding out more about how the two countries can increase business between one another."

One company which is enjoying an upturn in trade with China is freight-forwarding firm Oast Agencies, part of the Meacher's Group, in Raynesway, Derby.

Oast has formed a partnership with China-based BLD Logistics, which has allowed the firm to increase its presence in the country.

Oast's managing director Clive Broadley said: " Although China is not immune from the effects of the worldwide economic climate, the country's economy grew by 9% in 2008 and is predicted to grow by 8% during 2009.

"China remains a most important trade and investment market and we are absolutely determined to develop every opportunity."